Bengaluru stampede fallout: IPS officer challenges suspension in tribunal
Bengaluru: Senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who served as the Additional Commissioner of Police (West) in Bengaluru, has approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to challenge his recent suspension.
The action was taken after the tragic stampede on June 4 outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where crowds gathered for the RCB IPL victory celebration, resulting in 11 deaths and over 50 injuries.
Vikash is among five police officers suspended over alleged dereliction of duty, which, according to the Karnataka government, led to the crowd-control failure.
The other suspended officers include:
- A K Girish, Circle Inspector, Cubbon Park Police Station
- C Balakrishna, Assistant Commissioner of Police
- Shekhar H Tekkannavar, DCP Central Division
- Bengaluru Police Commissioner Dayananda
On June 5, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered their suspension, citing prima facie lapses in responsibility. The official suspension order stated there was “substantial dereliction of duty.”
Vikash filed his petition before the CAT last week. The tribunal is expected to hear the matter soon, according to official sources.
(With PTI inputs)