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The Karnataka High Court has stepped in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case to protect the rights of the accused by barring the state police from filing any chargesheet or final report without prior judicial approval. 

The court’s interim order comes as a reprieve for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), event partner DNA and key individuals including RCB’s marketing head, Nikhil Sosale.

Justice SR Krishna Kumar passed the order on Tuesday while hearing petitions from the accused parties seeking quashing of FIRs related to the June 4 incident, where a stampede broke out outside the stadium due to alleged mismanagement of match-day passes.

The petitioners, represented by senior advocates Sandesh J Chouta, CV Nagesh and Kiran S Javalli, argued that if the police were allowed to file the chargesheet before the High Court rules on the validity of the FIRs, it could undermine their right to a fair hearing. Justice Kumar agreed, stating that doing so would render the petitions pointless.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/bengaluru-stampede-karnataka-hc-presses-pause-on-arrests-signals-deeper-scrutiny-of-systemic-failures-70804.htm">Bengaluru Stampede: Karnataka HC presses pause on arrests, signals deeper scrutiny of systemic failures</a>

The court clarified that the investigation may continue, but no final report or chargesheet can be submitted unless the court permits it. Additionally, interim protection from arrest, already in place, has been extended until the next hearing on August 5.

The order underscores a judicial balancing act, allowing investigative agencies to proceed while safeguarding the legal rights of those facing serious allegations. The court's move reflects a growing trend of preemptive judicial scrutiny in high-profile public safety incidents involving corporate and sporting entities.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/rcb-challenges-cat-order-moves-karnataka-high-court-over-stampede-fallout-73398.htm">RCB challenges CAT order, moves Karnataka High Court over stampede fallout</a>

Karnataka HC stalls chargesheet in Chinnaswamy stampede case, offers interim relief to RCB, KSCA officials

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has sought judicial relief after Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) findings link team to Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede that claimed 11 lives. Following a ruling by the CAT, which held the IPL cricket team “prima facie responsible” for the fatal crowd crush outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB has approached the Karnataka High Court.

CAT blamed the team for the stampede near Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4 that resulted in 11 deaths and dozens of injuries. As per CAT, the announcement was "sudden", giving no time to the police to prepare for the crowd of three to five lakh people.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/karnataka-hc-grants-interim-bail-to-rcb-marketing-head-in-stampede-case-70237.htm">Karnataka HC grants interim bail to RCB marketing head in stampede case</a>


"The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered... the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission," CAT had said.

Now, RCB has formally petitioned the Karnataka High Court, moving to quash the CAT order.

It is to be noted that last month, the Karnataka High Court stepped in to provide interim legal relief to RCB and their event management partner DNA Entertainment Networks. The court temporarily restrained Bengaluru police from arresting or taking coercive action against officials of the two organizations, pending further investigation.

This judicial intervention comes amid growing debate over accountability for one of India’s deadliest crowd disasters in recent years. The stampede was sparked by a massive, unregulated turnout of nearly 5 lakh fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes following RCB’s historic first IPL title in 18 years. The stadium, with a capacity of just 33,000, was vastly underprepared for the scale of the crowd.

Read more:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/bengaluru-stampede-karnataka-hc-presses-pause-on-arrests-signals-deeper-scrutiny-of-systemic-failures-70804.htm"> Bengaluru Stampede: Karnataka HC presses pause on arrests, signals deeper scrutiny of systemic failures</a>


The incident triggered a chain of blame with state authorities pointing fingers at the organizers for holding the event without proper intimation, and organizers countering that the State failed to deploy adequate crowd control measures despite being aware of the event’s scale.

Legal proceedings have since escalated. A criminal case was registered against RCB, DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which controls use of the stadium. While KSCA has already secured interim relief, officials of RCB and DNA, including RCB’s marketing head Nikhil Sosale, who were briefly detained, have been granted interim bail.

RCB challenges CAT order, moves Karnataka High Court over stampede fallout

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals' owner Manoj Badale and his company Emerging Media Ventures have reportedly sued Raj Kundra, the former owner of the cricket team for breaching the 2019 confidential settlement agreement.

According to a report by Reuters, Badale said Kundra was trying to blackmail him by alleging that he was defrauded out of the minority stake in the team. 

Kundra, who is married to Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, had forfeited his 11.7% stake after being found guilty in betting charges in the 2015 tournament, after which Rajasthan Royals was suspended for two years.

Badale alleged that Kundra dropped him an email "out of the blue", which mentioned, he was "misled and defrauded of the rightful value of my 11.7% stake".

Badale, who is a venture capitalist, has sued Kundra at London's High Court. His lawyer Adam Speker had warned to report serious allegations to Indian authorities in a "blackmail attempt".

Badale holds a 65% stake in Rajasthan Royals, while the other two stakeholders are RedBird Capital Partners, a US-based equity firm that owns 15% and media executive Lachlan Murdoch has not disclosed exact shares. Reuters report said that Badale obtained an interim injunction against Kundra on 30 May, preventing Kundra from violating the settlement agreement by making derogatory remarks.

Meanwhile, Kundra's lawyers said he accepted the injunction should continue until a full trial of the lawsuit.

Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. They made the playoffs six times, including in IPL 2022. 

Rajasthan Royals' owner Manoj Badale accuses Raj Kundra of blackmail in UK court

In the aftermath of the tragic June 4 stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left 11 dead and over 50 injured, the Karnataka High Court has stepped in to provide interim legal relief to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their event management partner DNA Entertainment Networks. 

As per a report by Bar and Bench, the court has temporarily restrained Bengaluru police from arresting or taking coercive action against officials of the two organizations, pending further investigation.

Justice SR Krishna Kumar, hearing the plea, recorded assurances from the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) that two of the three FIRs registered in the case would not be pursued further, since their contents overlap with the primary investigation now being handled by the Crime Investigation Department (CID). The Court directed RCB and DNA to fully cooperate with the probe.

This judicial intervention comes amid growing debate over accountability for one of India’s deadliest crowd disasters in recent years. The stampede was sparked by a massive, unregulated turnout of nearly 5 lakh fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes following RCB’s historic first IPL title in 18 years. The stadium, with a capacity of just 33,000, was vastly underprepared for the scale of the crowd.

The incident triggered a chain of blame with state authorities pointing fingers at the organizers for holding the event without proper intimation, and organizers countering that the State failed to deploy adequate crowd control measures despite being aware of the event’s scale.

Legal proceedings have since escalated. A criminal case was registered against RCB, DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which controls use of the stadium. While KSCA has already secured interim relief, officials of RCB and DNA, including RCB’s marketing head Nikhil Sosale, who were briefly detained, have been granted interim bail.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/karnataka-hc-grants-interim-bail-to-rcb-marketing-head-in-stampede-case-70237.htm">Karnataka HC grants interim bail to RCB marketing head in stampede case</a>

In a notable development, the High Court itself has launched a suo motu public interest case to examine the wider systemic gaps that enabled the tragedy. A Bench led by Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao has now formally impleaded RCB, DNA, and KSCA as parties in the case and indicated that it may appoint an amicus curiae (friend of the court) to assist in identifying structural failures and suggesting long-term solutions.

The State has submitted a sealed report outlining the causes of the stampede and its proposed preventive framework. The High Court is expected to review this report in detail during the next hearing scheduled for June 23.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/bcci-forms-committee-after-tragic-rcb-victory-stampede-in-bengaluru-70304.htm">BCCI forms committee after tragic RCB victory stampede in Bengaluru</a>

Bengaluru Stampede: Karnataka HC presses pause on arrests, signals deeper scrutiny of systemic failures

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking proposals from reputable entities to acquire the rights and obligations to provide services that entails the provision of services relating to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL) Digital Properties.

The RFP covers rights and obligations associated with the management and delivery of IPL and WPL digital assets—including website, mobile platforms, interactive features, broadcast integrations, dynamic graphics APIs, and other tech-driven solutions. 

To participate, interested parties must pay a non‑refundable RFP fee of Rs 2,50,000 (plus applicable GST) and submit proposals by July 7, 2025. Upon payment, the RFP document becomes available; clarifications can be sought until June 20, and the deadline to purchase is June 25.

Eligibility criteria stipulate that bidding entities (or their affiliates) must have a minimum annual audited turnover of Rs 15 crore (or equivalent) and possess at least eight years of digital service experience. Priority is given to those with proven capabilities in sports and cricket, including interactive activations and broadcast integrations.


Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/bcci-invites-proposals-for-stadium-signage-rights-and-management-for-major-cricket-events-including-ipl-and-wpl-53873.htm">BCCI invites proposals for Stadium Signage Rights and Management for major cricket events, including IPL and WPL</a>


"Interested parties demonstrating previous experience of delivering interactive activations in sport with broadcast integration will be preferred. BCCI would like to see specific examples and a breakdown of features and capabilities in this area. Interested Parties must provide example APIs or integrations for dynamic broadcast graphics," it was added.

"BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the RFP process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason," the document read.

BCCI floats Rs 2.5 lakh tender for IPL and WPL digital services

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted interim bail to four officials linked to Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) IPL victory event, arrested in connection with the June 4 stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

As per the media reports, Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar while granting bail, observed "prima facie impermissible arrest influenced by political directives", referring to the Chief Minister’s public statement on June 5 that preceded the arrests. The four accused, Nikhil Sosale (RCSPL), Sunil Mathew, Kiran Kumar S and Shamant NP (DNA Networks), were taken into custody on June 6, despite not being named in the FIRs or held criminally liable at the time.

The court criticised the 10–11 hour delay in furnishing grounds of arrest, noting that the city police only communicated the grounds at 2:30 pm on June 6, much later than required by law. While the police denied this, the court said a signed acknowledgment by the accused confirmed the delay.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/rcb-marketing-head-alleges-selective-arrest-in-chinnaswamy-stampede-blames-cm-pressure-69661.htm">RCB marketing head alleges selective arrest in Chinnaswamy stampede, blames CM pressure</a>

The order underlined the lack of any direct or vicarious criminal liability on part of the individuals arrested, particularly since the FIRs did not name them, nor was there evidence of personal involvement in mismanagement. The HC also pointed to vague and evasive denials by the police when asked to clarify whether the arrests were influenced by the Chief Minister’s public comments. The petitioners had submitted media reports suggesting that their arrests were a consequence of political pressure rather than legal merit.

While granting interim relief, the court asked the accused to deposit their passports, remain within court jurisdiction, avoid witness tampering and cooperate with the ongoing criminal and magisterial probes. A personal bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties each was mandated.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/bengaluru-stampede-bcci-rcb-invited-the-whole-world-karnataka-govt-tells-hc-69854.htm">Bengaluru stampede: BCCI, RCB 'invited the whole world', Karnataka govt tells HC</a>

Karnataka HC grants interim bail to RCB marketing head in stampede case

The global spirits conglomerate Diageo is exploring stake sale options in Indian Premier League (IPL) outfit Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as per a report by Bloomberg. The company, which holds the team through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits Ltd, is in early discussions with potential advisers about the possibilities to sell a part or all of the franchise, the report claims. 
 
<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/business-of-belief-what-rcbs-ipl-win-means-for-sports-branding-68758.htm">Read more: Business of belief: What RCB’s IPL win means for sports branding</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/diageo-is-underleveraging-rcb-suhel-seth-on-royal-challengers-bengalurus-ipl-win-and-owners-branding-blind-spot-68786.htm">Read more: 'Diageo is underleveraging RCB': Suhel Seth on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL win and owner's branding blind-spot</a>

At present, Diageo owns the team through its Indian unit United Spirits, and might seek a valuation of as much as $2 billion for RCB, according to the report. Diageo and United Spirits have not issued any public statements regarding the potential divestment.

Read more:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/court-weighs-role-of-rcb-tweets-in-deadly-stampede-at-chinnaswamy-stadium-69558.htm"> Court weighs role of RCB tweets in deadly stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium</a>

Initially, RCB was purchased by Vijay Mallya in 2008 — under the banner of his liquor empire, United Spirits Limited (USL). After Mallya’s exit in 2016 amid legal and financial troubles, Diageo assumed control via its majority stake in USL. While the day-to-day management remains with USL, ultimate corporate control now rests with Diageo.

The news of the potential stake sell comes a week after RCB lifted the IPL trophy for the first time in 18 years and the franchise's value continues to soar. The move also comes at a time when Diageo is facing mounting regulatory pressure from the Union Health Ministry to curb indirect advertising of alcohol during major sporting events like the IPL. 

Read more:<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/rcb-owner-moves-karnataka-hc-to-quash-criminal-case-over-stampede-69459.htm"> RCB owner moves Karnataka HC to quash criminal case over stampede</a>

Diageo mulls options for stake sale in RCB after IPL win

In a major development following the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory celebrations on June 4, the Bengaluru police on Friday arrested Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head and revenue of RCB from Diageo India. The stampede, which occurred outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, claimed 11 lives and left 64 others injured.

Sosale, who according to his LinkedIn profile leads the design, strategy, and business delivery for RCB's marketing program, was arrested after mounting pressure from the Karnataka government. He also worked at United Breweries overlooking its sports marketing business. His close social connections to celebrities such as Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma—both of whom follow his private Instagram account—have also drawn public attention.

The arrest follows Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s directive on Thursday to take stringent action against RCB, the event organiser DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The FIR, registered by a police inspector at the Cubbon Park station, invoked serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita under sections 115 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (Causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous means),121(Deterring a public servant from duty), 190 (Unlawful assembly)

Police also detained three staff members of DNA Entertainment Networks for questioning. Meanwhile, key KSCA officials, including its secretary and treasurer, are reported to be absconding.

Bengaluru police claimed that RCB’s management had not coordinated with the police prior to announcing their victory parade on social media. Their tweet—promoting the celebration—went viral, garnering over a million views. It was only after the post gained traction that RCB approached the police for formal permission, which was denied due to crowd safety concerns. Despite the refusal, the event drew a massive crowd, overwhelming arrangements and resulting in chaos.

In the wake of the incident, the Karnataka government suspended top police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, citing serious lapses in crowd management and public safety. The administration’s handling of the incident has come under severe criticism, with opposition leaders from the BJP calling for the resignation of both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

To probe the circumstances surrounding the stampede, the state government has constituted a one-man judicial commission led by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D’Cunha. The commission has been asked to submit its findings within 30 days.

Meanwhile, RCB announced on Thursday that it would provide financial assistance to the families of all 11 victims and support 33 injured individuals through a newly established relief fund titled ‘RCB Cares.’

RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale arrested over Bengaluru stampede tragedy

India’s live event industry is on a remarkable growth trajectory, but the tragic death of 11 cricket fans during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration has cast a stark spotlight on the urgent need for better infrastructure and planning. Experts warn that the nation’s capacity to host world-class events is being outpaced by its readiness to manage them.

The celebrations, held at short notice outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium after RCB clinched its first Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in 18 years, turned into chaos as thousands of fans thronged the area. The resulting stampede led to multiple fatalities and raised uncomfortable questions about administrative preparedness.

While the Karnataka government claimed the felicitation event was a last-minute affair and the crowd turnout was underestimated, many believe this tragedy was avoidable.

At the same time, the sector is experiencing record growth. According to a recent EY report, India’s live events market surpassed ₹12,000 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19% over the next three years. High-profile concerts, such as Coldplay’s performance in Ahmedabad, have demonstrated the country’s ability to host large-scale, global-standard shows while also stimulating local economies.

Yet these successes remain marred by logistical breakdowns and inconsistent planning. “The incident which took place in Bengaluru is extremely disappointing and saddening,” said Nishant Kini, Founder & Director of The Nishe & Co, and a veteran who has worked with top event firms like Wizcraft and Percept. “The sports and concert economy in India is growing, but this requires constant infrastructure support. The stadiums, transport, single-window clearance among local administration support must be strengthened to make any state a successful place for experiential events.”

Kini further emphasized, “It is very important that organizers are in sync with state governments to provide adequate support for transport, safety and well-being of attendees. There is an utmost need for better infrastructure in the country for the growth of the experiential, live sporting, and concert industry.”

The growing popularity of live experiences has not only bolstered allied industries like tourism, food services, and transportation but also positioned India as a potential global hub for entertainment. However, event cancellations and safety lapses paint a more complicated picture. The NH7 Weekender festival in Pune, for instance, was recently cancelled after Pimpri Chinchwad police denied permission due to anticipated law and order and traffic issues.

According to Cauvery Adiga, COO of NEB Sports Entertainment Private Limited, meticulous planning and strong coordination between all stakeholders are essential for successful event execution.

“Organizing a high-volume event requires meticulous planning and seamless coordination among various stakeholders—organizers, police, local administration, medical services, and more,” Adiga said. “Clear and timely communication with participants is equally critical to ensure safety, crowd control, and a positive experience for all involved.”

Adiga also underscored the importance of local authorities. “The local administration brings invaluable insight into the region’s operational dynamics, including infrastructure, traffic flow, and emergency services. Their role is essential in assessing potential impacts, planning execution, and ensuring smooth functioning.”

While praising the Bengaluru Police for their effectiveness in managing large crowds, she acknowledged that the RCB celebrations were hindered by the lack of preparation. “The RCB victory celebrations were announced at very short notice, leaving little time for structured planning and coordination. Additionally, the rapid spread of information via social media channels led to overcrowding and confusion, further complicating the situation.”

Viraf Sutaria, mentor of the Bengaluru Midnight Marathon (BMM), echoed the need for uncompromising standards. “There should be no compromise in aspects such as the holding capacity of a venue and professionals must be roped in for executing such events. Adequate coordination with police personnel, traffic, and law and order departments is critical, and they must be briefed and taken around the entire area.”

Sutaria outlined the rigorous process followed at BMM to prevent mishaps. “Proper permissions are obtained, and most importantly, traffic is organized and diverted in a manner that the public is not overly inconvenienced. We do not want road rage to spoil a good event,” he said.

“In addition, we have our own security guards and volunteers, who are trained to guide and maintain calm at all times. Route marshals are professionals who have managed many marathons. All permissions for music, DJ, food, metro rail, BBMP, waste management etc. are taken well in advance. The entire area is spic and span and back to normal within two hours of the event closing.”

As India races ahead in the live event space, the tragedy in Bengaluru serves as a grim reminder that enthusiasm must be matched with planning. Without robust infrastructure, clear regulations, and close cooperation among authorities, the promise of India’s entertainment future may come at an unthinkable cost.

From Concerts to Cricket: Bengaluru tragedy a wake-up call for India’s live events industry

What began as a jubilant celebration over Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first IPL title win in 18 years ended in tragedy on Wednesday, as stampedes at two major locations in the city left at least 11 people feared dead and several others injured.

The chaos erupted outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a felicitation event for the RCB squad was being organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Thousands had gathered to celebrate the team's victory, but overcrowding quickly spiraled out of control.

Two additional deaths were reported from the Vidhana Soudha premises, where the RCB team met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after landing in the city. The players had proceeded directly from the airport, and large crowds had amassed to witness the ceremony.

Disturbing visuals showed police and emergency responders carrying unconscious and injured individuals to ambulances. Many fainted amid the crush, with some metro stations in the vicinity also overwhelmed by surging crowds.

Speaking to the media, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged the lapses. “The crowd was uncontrollable. I apologise for the overcrowding. We had arranged over 5,000 personnel, but it was a young, vibrant crowd—we couldn’t use force on them,” he said.

Shivakumar added that the programme had to be shortened due to the overwhelming turnout. “Lakhs of people came. We ended the felicitation in 10 minutes. I have spoken to the Police Commissioner and will visit the hospital later,” he stated, urging the public to remain calm.

At Bowring Hospital, ambulances continued to bring in the injured well into the evening. Eyewitnesses said people climbed trees and stood on walls and stairways for a glimpse of the players, further complicating crowd control.

Amid mounting criticism, the Karnataka government defended its decision to cancel a planned victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, citing security concerns. However, the damage had already been done.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi sharply criticised the state’s handling of the event. “It’s heartbreaking to see such loss due to poor planning and mismanagement. Celebrations are welcome, but without involving emergency services and proper preparation, this was a disaster waiting to happen. Accountability must be fixed,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier in the day, Shivakumar welcomed the RCB team at the airport, personally greeting each player with a bouquet. He presented star batsman Virat Kohli with both the RCB and Kannada flags, a symbolic gesture that preceded the day’s tragic turn.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with investigations likely into the lapses in crowd management and emergency preparedness.