Just a few days after the stampede tragedy in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, has written a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The letter written by the LoP is in the matter of seeking urgent intervention and a comprehensive probe
Children injured in Bengaluru Stampede. File Pic
Just a few days after the stampede tragedy in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, has written a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The letter written by the LoP is in the matter of seeking urgent intervention and a comprehensive probe into the recent stampede in Bengaluru during the IPL victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The victory parade organised by RCB at Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and injured at least 75 people.
As reported by ANI, LoP R Ashoka on Thursday urged the NHRC to take suo motu cognisance of what he described as a grave human rights violation caused by alleged gross negligence. He also put the light on administrative failure during the public event held on June 4 near M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which caused human loss.
Ashoka called the incident "an unfortunate accident", but several eyewitness accounts and preliminary findings suggest that the stampede was not a mere accident.
The tragic stampede in Bengaluru was a preventable tragedy. I have formally written to the National Human Rights Commission (@India_NHRC) calling for urgent intervention, a comprehensive investigation, and accountability for the clear lapses in crowd management, security, and… pic.twitter.com/jQhi4quu10
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) June 12, 2025
R Ashoka, while writing the letter, stated, "This is not merely an unfortunate accident – it appears, based on eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations, to be the direct result of gross negligence, mismanagement, and a blatant disregard for public safety by the state government and the concerned authorities."
R Ashoka also highlighted major lapses such as crowd overspill due to misleading free pass announcements, poor crowd control, low police presence, and lack of medical aid and basic amenities which caused the stampede.
"The area, which has a capacity of around 35,000, saw a massive and unmanageable influx of lakhs of people, allegedly due to misleading announcements regarding free passes," he added in his letter.
Ashoka majorly pointed to the alleged role of the event organisers, including RCB and the event management firm DNA. He also questioned the management and functioning of the apex cricket body in the state, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), in creating confusion and chaos at the venue.
He further expressed deep concerns over what he termed as a failure of the state government in preparing for such a massive gathering. The letter also said that "although FIRs have been filed and an inquiry commission announced, the lack of foresight and planning by government agencies remains deeply concerning."
As reported by ANI, the BJP leader from Karnataka demanded that the NHRC should investigate the actions of all public and private sector employees and agencies engaged in the event's planning. He also urges the agencies to hold them accountable through appropriate disciplinary or legal measures.
In addition to overseeing the current state-level investigation to guarantee openness and fairness, Ashoka asked the Commission to publish standards for future public events to prevent similar catastrophes.
"This preventable tragedy has caused immense grief and anger among the people of Karnataka. The intervention of the NHRC is vital not only to secure justice for the affected families but also to ensure such an incident is never repeated," Ashoka said in the letter.
However, acting strictly on the stampede tragedy, Bengaluru police in a joint operation with the Crime Branch arrested three RCB officials on June 6. Nikhil Sosale, who is the Head of Marketing and Revenue for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Diageo India, was one of the three people who were arrested. He was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport while going to Mumbai.
After the tragic Bengaluru stampede on June 5, which killed 11 people and injured dozens more, the government of Karnataka removed senior police officers from the Cubbon Park Police Station and appointed a former High Court judge to head a one-man committee investigating the tragedy.
(With ANI Inputs)
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