Poonam Nath

Bengaluru stadium stampede update: RCB marketing head arrested

Digital Desk: Nikhil Sosale, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) head of marketing and revenue, has been taken into custody by police concerning the fatal stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead and 64 injured. The incident took place on June 4 during the celebrations of the IPL triumph.

Diageo India employee Sosale was arrested at the Bengaluru airport as he tried to board a flight to Mumbai. His apprehension represents a noteworthy advancement in the inquiry, as investigators step up their endeavors to pinpoint shortcomings in crowd management and event preparation.

In addition to Sosale, three employees of DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., the event's organizer, were detained.

The suspects, Kiran, Sumanth, and Sunil Mathew, are currently being probed at Cubbon Park Police Station, where the first information report was lodged. The accused parties included in the FIR are RCB, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

Police are looking for the Karnataka Cricket Association's (KSCA) secretary and treasurer, who are thought to have fled. The procession was promoted on social media before checking with local authorities, which is said to have prompted the large turnout.

The Karnataka government has suspended numerous high-ranking police officers, including Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda, alleging poor crowd management and public safety.

The opposition BJP has requested the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who allegedly lingered inside the stadium, taking selfies with the winning squad, long after initial reports of the rush arose.

The probe is ongoing as officials look into coordination problems among event organizers, cricket authorities, and law enforcement.