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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Karnataka High Court on Thursday ordered the state government to submit a status report on the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory celebrations that left 11 people dead and several injured. The court adjourned the matter for further hearing till June 10. A division bench headed by Karnataka High Court Acting Chief Justice V. Kameswara Rao took suo motu cognizance of the incident. On the stampede, the government told the court that a crowd of 2.5 lakh people had gathered and a total of 1483 policemen were deployed.
What happened during the court hearing today?
High Court: "If such an incident happens in future, do you have a set plan (SOP)?"
Advocate General (AG): "This is a matter of future."
High Court: "Are there any vehicles ready in case such an incident occurs? Which hospitals will the injured be taken to? All this should be in the plan."
Advocate General: "The government is taking it seriously and will prepare a plan."
High Court: "Was the ambulance present when the accident happened?"
Advocate General: "Yes, but not enough. 2.5 lakh people came because they were told entry was free."
HC: "All these casualties happened in the stadium itself?"
Advocate General: "At the main entrance."
High Court: "When IPL matches take place, what is the arrangement?"
Advocate General: "RCB manages the event. They are also responsible for security."
High Court: "Did he take permission?"
Advocate General: "The crowd was huge, people had come not only from Bengaluru but from all over the State and even from outside."
HC: "How many gates are there?"
Advocate General: "There are a total of 21 gates and instructions were to keep all the gates open so that people could sit inside. Around 2 lakh people were present there. We have started investigation, notices have been issued and FIR has also been registered. We are not going to spare anyone."
What did the court say during the hearing?
During the hearing, the court said, "There have been reports in the newspapers that 11 people died and 75 were injured in the tragedy that occurred during the celebration of RCB's victory. This court has taken cognizance of this incident. Senior advocate Arun Shyam said that two events were held in Vidhana Soudha and the stadium. The government should tell where the ambulances were stationed."
Issuing notice to the Karnataka government, the court said, "We have also received information from many people in this regard to know the cause of this tragedy and to prevent it in future. We are issuing notice to the state government. We have heard from the Advocate General and he has given a status report, which has been taken on record. The registry is directed to register this suo motu as a writ petition. List the matter again on Tuesday, June 10."
What did the Advocate General tell the court?
Karnataka 's Advocate General told the court that there was adequate police deployment at the spot, but the crowd was much more than expected. The Advocate General said, "1483 people were deployed, including the Police Commissioner and other senior police officials. More than 2.5 lakh people had gathered near the stadium. We are as concerned about this incident as anyone else. The Chief Minister made the first statement that compensation will be given and the injured will be treated. We have been working since last night. We are ready for any suggestion."
At the same time, the petitioner's lawyer argued that the government should clarify who took the decision to honor the RCB players. He said, "What was the need to honor players who are not playing for the country? What steps or security measures were taken to control the crowd? This is criminal negligence. Only three gates of the stadium were opened, while it did not have the capacity to accommodate such a large crowd."
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