Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) joyous celebration after winning their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title turned into a tragic disaster on Wednesday (June 4).
Stampede turns RCB’s IPL 2025 celebration into catastrophe
On June 4, a massive stampede broke out outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB’s home ground. The celebration, meant to mark 18 years of perseverance, was open to the public with no ticketing system, entry was free and based on a first-come-first-serve basis. This lack of crowd regulation and under-prepared infrastructure overwhelmed the area, resulting in the death of 11 people and injuries to 56 others as per multiple media reports, including 33 critical cases confirmed by hospitals. Despite their swift offer of INR 10 lakh compensation per deceased victim’s family and public condolences, RCB has come under intense scrutiny for negligence, with many accusing the franchise of putting sentiment above safety.
RCB named in FIR as Bengaluru Police initiate investigation
On Thursday, as per the Hindustan Times report, the Bengaluru Police officially named the RCB franchise as an accused in the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with the stampede. This marks a significant development in the legal probe, with authorities now treating the incident not merely as an accident, but as a preventable civic disaster resulting from lapses in event planning and public safety protocols.
The FIR points to the free, unregulated entry system as a core factor that led to dangerous overcrowding. With no police coordination, or prior registration system in place, the infrastructure at the venue was overwhelmed. The franchise is likely to be investigated under sections of the IPC pertaining to negligence leading to death, unlawful assembly, and failure to maintain public order.
In a controversial move, social activist HM Venkatesh submitted a complaint on Friday, June 7, seeking that Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli also be named in the FIR. In the complaint lodged at Cubbon Park Police Station, Venkatesh alleged that Kohli, as the most prominent face of RCB and the IPL, was responsible for promoting what he described as ‘gambling’ under the guise of sport. He claimed that Kohli’s role in popularizing IPL incited mass gatherings and indirectly contributed to the stampede.
The complaint read as per ANI: “Virat Kohli of the Bangalore RCB team is the most prominent among those who participated in such gambling and incited people to gather in a specific place and caused this tragedy… We request you to make Virat Kohli and his team members accused in the FIR of this tragedy,”
Following the filing of the complaint, the hastag Arrest Kohli began trending across social media platforms. While some online users rallied behind the activist’s demands, others strongly opposed the idea of dragging a player into a civic mismanagement issue. Many pointed out that Kohli neither organized nor authorized the victory event and was not involved in administrative decisions.
Also READ: Who is Nikhil Sosale? RCB official arrested in Bengaluru stampede case
Fact Check: Has Virat Kohli been named in the FIR?
- Claim: Virat Kohli has been named in the FIR related to the Bengaluru stampede case.
- Status: False
According to a News18 and Hindustan Times report, the Bengaluru Police have not named Kohli in the FIR filed in the stampede incident. While social activist Venkatesh did lodge a separate complaint, the police have only acknowledged it and confirmed that it will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
A copy of the official FIR, which has circulated on social media, confirms that only the RCB franchise has been named so far as an accused party. The police clarified that Venkatesh’s request is under consideration, but no legal action has yet been initiated against Kohli or any other player. The complaint is being processed under the umbrella of the existing FIR, but naming individual players like Kohli would require further inquiry and specific evidence of direct involvement or incitement, which is presently absent.
No FIR against Virat Kohli
Never believe Indian media , they are 🤡 pic.twitter.com/hNYpPc8N9D
— 𝐃𝐈𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐔 𝕏 (@IAm_Diptanu) June 6, 2025