June 6, 2025 , Credent Story desk : What was meant to be a historic day for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans celebrating their first-ever IPL trophy turned into a nightmare on June 4, 2025. A massive stampede outside Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left at least 33 injured, casting a pall over the city’s cricketing triumph
How the Bengaluru Stampede Unfolded
Overwhelming Crowd and Last-Minute Changes
The tragedy struck as lakhs of fans—estimates suggest over 3 lakh, nearly ten times the stadium’s capacity—gathered for a victory parade and public felicitation of the RCB team. Originally, the celebrations were to include an open bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium. However, citing security and traffic concerns, Bengaluru Police denied permission for the street procession, prompting organizers to abruptly shift the event inside the stadium.
Free Entry Announcement Sparks Chaos
At around 3:14 pm, RCB’s social media announced free entry passes for the event, triggering a surge of fans to the stadium gates. With no clear entry plan and a limited security presence, the crowd swelled dangerously. By 3:30 pm, all gates were closed, and fans—many without tickets—began pushing against the barricades, desperate to enter
The Deadly Crush
The situation spiraled out of control at several gates, particularly Gate 3 and Gate 20, where the pressure of the crowd caused barricades to collapse. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as people were trampled, some fainted, and ambulances struggled to reach the injured due to overcrowded roads. Police resorted to mild lathi charge in attempts to disperse the surging crowd. By 5 pm, the full extent of the tragedy became clear: 11 people had lost their lives, and dozens more were injured
Victims and Aftermath
Who Were the Victims?
All 11 people who died were under the age of 40, including teenagers and young adults, with the youngest victim just 13 years old. Over 33 others sustained injuries ranging from fractures to severe trauma, with many still recovering in hospitals across the city.
Human Stories Amidst the Tragedy
Venu, a survivor now hospitalized with a leg fracture, recounted, “We went to watch the event near gate no. 6 around 3:30 pm. The barricade fell and caused injury to me. I’m better now, but I can’t walk”. Families rushed to hospitals, anxiously seeking news of loved ones, as the city grappled with the aftermath.
Political Fallout and Official Response
Government and Police Under Fire
The stampede has sparked a political storm in Karnataka. The opposition BJP accused the Congress-led state government of gross mismanagement and ignoring obvious security risks, with BJP President B Y Vijayendra stating, “Even a child could have foreseen the massive turnout”. The government, meanwhile, has suspended top police officials, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, and appointed a new chief in response to public outcry.
Probe and Accountability
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a one-member commission to investigate the incident and ensure accountability. The Bengaluru Police have filed a suo moto case against RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event organizers DNA Entertainment. The Karnataka High Court has also taken suo moto cognizance and is hearing the case to determine lapses and fix responsibility.
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