Bengaluru stampede: Chinnaswamy Stadium deemed ‘unsuitable and unsafe’ for large-scale events
Bengaluru: The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has been deemed "unsuitable and unsafe" for hosting large-scale public events, according to the findings of a judicial inquiry into the tragic stampede that occurred on 4 July during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebrations.
The report, compiled by the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, was commissioned by the Karnataka government following the incident, which claimed the lives of 11 people and left over 50 injured. The tragedy unfolded near the stadium just a day after RCB clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title after an 18-year wait.
According to ESPNCricinfo, which accessed the report, the commission stated that the stadium’s “design and structure” are inherently unsuitable for large-scale gatherings, citing serious safety deficiencies. It warned that staging events with large attendances at the venue would pose “unacceptable risks to public safety, urban mobility, and emergency preparedness.”
The report has been submitted to the Karnataka government and strongly indicts several parties involved in organising the event. These include RCB, their event partner DNA Entertainment Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The panel noted “systematic limitations” in planning and crowd management, and “strongly recommended” that similar events be shifted to venues better equipped to handle large crowds.
The report further urged that future venues should comply with international standards, specifically calling for infrastructure such as:
- Dedicated queuing and circulation zones separated from public roadways
- Sufficient entry and exit points to manage crowds safely
- Integrated public transport access
- Comprehensive emergency evacuation plans
- Adequate parking and drop-off facilities
The Chinnaswamy Stadium, built in 1974, reportedly lacks these key features, putting its ability to host major matches into question. Notably, it is currently scheduled to host the opening match and semi-final of the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup, which runs from 30 September to 2 November. In response to the report, KSCA has also announced that its upcoming Maharaja Trophy T20 league, set to begin on 11 August, will be played behind closed doors.
The commission has also recommended action against several officials, including KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, former secretary A Shankar, and former treasurer ES Jairam, the latter two of whom resigned citing “moral responsibility”. It further held RCB vice-president Rajesh Menon, and DNA Entertainment Networks MD T Venkat Vardhan and VP Sunil Mathur, accountable for the failures.
Additionally, senior police officers B Dayananda, Vikash Kumar, Shekhar HT, C Balakrishna, and AK Girish--all of whom were removed from duty by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah following the stampede--were held responsible for lapses in coordination and planning.
The Karnataka government, which also held a public felicitation event with the RCB players on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha, is expected to deliberate on the commission’s recommendations in the upcoming cabinet meeting.