Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 – The Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL victory celebrations turned tragic when Devi, a devoted fan and tech professional, lost her life in a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Devi, originally from Tamil Nadu and an only child, had been residing in Bengaluru for her studies and subsequent employment. A fervent admirer of RCB and Virat Kohli, she never missed a match since moving to the city.
On the day of the victory parade, Devi secured permission from her employer around 2:30 PM to attend the celebrations. Unable to obtain tickets online, she decided to head to the stadium, hopeful to gain entry. Her last message to a friend read, “I’m taking the metro!”
Tragically, that was the final communication from her. Later, her friends received a call from the hospital, informing them of her demise. Her belongings, including her laptop and bags, remained untouched at her office desk, a poignant reminder of her untimely passing.
The stampede, which occurred due to overcrowding and inadequate crowd management, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. The incident has sparked widespread grief and raised concerns over public safety measures during large-scale events.
Devi’s story underscores the profound impact of such tragedies on individuals and communities, turning moments of celebration into ones of mourning.
