Arun Mishra, Ombudsman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Supreme Court Justice, has issued a show cause notice to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The notice follows a complaint regarding a fatal stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025 — the day RCB clinched their maiden IPL title after 18 years.
The complaint, filed by IPS officer Vikash Kumar on June 12, alleges “gross negligence and violation of safety norms” by the RCB franchise and seeks strict accountability. The complainant has called for the suspension of the franchise and the invalidation of any ongoing sale negotiations concerning the team.
Justice Mishra, acknowledging the “gravity of the incident,” has directed both RCB and KSCA to submit written responses within four weeks, with copies to be shared with the complainant. They must explain why the reliefs sought — including franchise suspension and halting the sale — should not be granted. A rejoinder, if any, can be filed within 10 days thereafter.
The Ombudsman also noted concerns that the franchise “may be attempting to distance itself from accountability and possibly offload ownership to avoid potential consequences.” In response, he ordered a “status quo” be maintained regarding any ownership transfer, effectively pausing any sale-related discussions.
The June 4 tragedy turned celebrations into heartbreak as 11 people — all aged below 40 — lost their lives and 33 others were injured in a stampede triggered by overcrowding at the stadium.
This development follows a ruling by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which held RCB accountable for the crowd mismanagement that led to the fatal incident. The tribunal also overturned the Karnataka government’s suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar, who had challenged the state’s decision after being penalized in the wake of the stampede.