RCB celebrations turn sour as two fans die in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Celebratory rallies held across Karnataka following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title win ended in tragedy, with two young men losing their lives during separate incidents in Shivamogga and Belagavi.

In Belagavi, 25-year-old Manjunath suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a victory rally. He reportedly collapsed during the celebrations and, despite being rushed to hospital, could not be revived.

Meanwhile, in Shivamogga, 21-year-old Abhinandan died in a motorbike collision during a fan rally. The accident occurred near the Ganapati Temple in Ravindranagar, where multiple bikes collided. Abhinandan sustained serious injuries and succumbed to them at the scene. Another fan was also severely injured in the crash.

RCB’s historic IPL 2025 win, marking the end of an 18-year title drought, sparked jubilant celebrations across the state, particularly in its home city of Bengaluru. However, the intensity of the celebrations led to disturbances in several areas, prompting police to resort to lathi charges to disperse crowds late into the night.

Authorities have urged fans to celebrate responsibly and avoid actions that could lead to harm during public gatherings.