Following the Bengaluru stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium after RCB won their maiden title at the IPL 2025, Karnataka CM took measures to curb the situation. Siddaramaiah transferred Sri. Seemanth Kumar Singh, Additional Director General of Police “with immediate effect” as the new commissioner as per the circular issued by the Karnataka Government. Replacing B Dayananda, an FIR was also registered against RCB, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KCSA) for various charged including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Taking the lives of 11 people, the CM revealed that officials including “Cubbon Park Police Station Police Inspector, Station House Master, Station House Officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, Cricket Stadium in-charge, Additional Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police” have all been suspended.
Seemanth Kumar Singh posted as Additional Director General of Police & Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/1NmLZLN0H8
— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2025
The CM addressed the press conference stating there was prima facie evidence of negligence and dereliction of duty by police personnel, leading to a decision to suspend them. He said that the officials “appear to be irresponsible and negligent, and it has been decided to suspend them.” He further added that the police had been instructed to take strict action and arrest representatives of RCB, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
In replacement and to hold the responsible accountable for the stampede, a one-man commission under the chairmanship of Justice Michael D’Cunha was appointed. The current government also announced that fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) will be formulated to avoid such situations, announced by home minister Parameshwara.
Political backlash
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah faced political backlash as BJP officials intensified their attack. They demanded his resignation and of his deputy DK Shivkumar. An investigation led by the CID was launched against RCB, event organisers DNA and the KCSA. The official BJP page expressed that the incident was “nothing but a pathetic attempt to cover up Congress’s criminal negligence. This bloodshed is a direct result of the CM and DCM prioritizing cheap photo ops and shameless PR over basic public safety. This disaster is on them.”