Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their maiden IPL title win after 18 long years with a grand victory parade in the city. However, the celebration turned tragic when a stampede, reportedly caused by overcrowding and poor crowd management, resulted in the deaths of eleven people. 

Following this, Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against RCB, the event management company DNA Entertainment and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). RCB has since moved the Karnataka High Court to have the FIR quashed. Additionally, the police arrested the franchise’s marketing head, Nikhil Sosale, while two KSCA officials resigned after the victims’ families moved court.

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‘Unfortunate incident’: BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that the parade was entirely organised by RCB and not under its purview.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described the incident as “unfortunate”, adding that although it was a private event, the board would eventually need to take action. 

“At some stage, BCCI will have to do something. We cannot be a silent spectator,” Saikia was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying. 

“It was a private affair of RCB, but we at the BCCI are responsible for cricket in India, and we will try to ensure such incidents do not recur in future,” he added.

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So, will RCB face a ban?

Since the tragic incident, numerous claims have surfaced on social media about potential consequences for RCB. One social media account claimed that RCB may face a ban from participating in the upcoming season of the IPL. The claim was amplified by the X handle @IPL2025auction. In its social media post, it wrote, “One-year ban for RCB. RCB may face a ban from IPL 2026 if found responsible for safety lapses in the Bengaluru stampede. Authorities are investigating the incident seriously.”

Another claim is that the official IPL Instagram page unfollowed RCB. This further fueled speculations of the team facing a possible ban. The X handle @worshipDhoni made this claim with a screenshot from the following list of IPL’s Instagram page. 

While the investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing, the BCCI has not made any official statement regarding a ban or penalties against RCB. Additionally, contrary to some social media claims, IPL’s official Instagram account has not unfollowed the franchise.