In the wake of a tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) victory celebrations, an official government letter has emerged, confirming that the Karnataka government had formally approved the team’s felicitation event at Vidhana Soudha on June 4.
The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) granted approval to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) following a request, with clearance from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vidhana Soudha Security. The permission came with a list of stringent conditions.
Among them, the KSCA was required to pay a ₹10,000 sanitation fee in advance and furnish a refundable ₹15 lakh security deposit if any structures or tents were to be erected. The organisers were also made fully liable for any damage to Vidhana Soudha’s heritage structures, roads, statues, or gardens.
The guidelines prohibited plastic use at the event, allowed only paper or glass materials, and mandated all refreshments be prepared off-site. The use of gas cylinders was banned, and any food distribution was to happen strictly in designated external zones.
The letter also banned drone usage due to the venue’s no-fly zone classification. Organisers were directed to coordinate with multiple civic agencies, including BBMP, fire, health, and police departments. Any temporary installations required prior vetting from the Public Works Department.
Additionally, even the event invitation card design required State Protocol clearance. All equipment and materials had to be removed within three hours of the event ending—failure to comply would result in the forfeiture of the security deposit. The event was not allowed to disrupt regular office activities or public movement.
Interestingly, the KSCA has since issued a clarification, distancing itself from the crowd management during the victory celebrations. It stated that the felicitation was solely organised by the government at Vidhana Soudha and not at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the fatal stampede occurred.
The emergence of the letter has reignited debate over responsibility and planning in the aftermath of the tragedy.
