Bengaluru stampede LIVE | BJP, JD(S) doing politics over dead bodies: Shivakumar

I had no information: Shivalumar on RCB celebration despite deaths

Speaking about criticism about going ahead with the RCB celebration despite having information about deaths, Shivakumar said, "I had no information, I'm telling you..."

The opposition BJP and JD(S) earlier today lashed out at the Congress government for making police officers the "scapegoat" for the stampede and alleged that the entire responsibility for the incident lies with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. They also demanded their resignation.

To the charges that instead of Deputy CM resigning, five police officials, including the police commissioner, were made scapegoats by suspending them, Sivakumar said the government and the CM had taken the decision after discussing it in the cabinet.

On demands that there should be action against "big people" in the government too, he said, "What we should do, should be left to us. Listening to someone, or for the sake of someone's criticism we won't act. We know what to do. People have blessed us (to power)."

When reporters asked about the opposition asking for his resignation, the Deputy CM, with sarcasm, said, "They are seeking my resignation. Fine, let's fulfill their desire...."

BJP, JD(S) doing politics over 'dead bodies', says D K Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has accused the opposition BJP and JD(S) of doing politics over "dead bodies", as he hit out at them for demanding his resignation following the June 4 stampede here that killed 11 people.

"They (opposition) are trying to do politics over dead bodies. We are not doing it. We have sincerity....what do they have to target me? In what way am I responsible?" Shivakumar asked.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "Karnataka State Cricket Association wrote (to the government) seeking permission. The event was held. I'm Bengaluru Minister..... I had also gone to the stadium as the Bengaluru Minister, what is wrong?" "I had gone to the airport (to receive the RCB team). I requested them to cooperate as there was no permission for the victory procession. I gave them a Kannada flag and welcomed them. What's wrong? What crime have I committed?" he further asked.

Bengaluru court remands 4 officials of RCB, event management firm to 14-day judicial custody

A Bengaluru court on Friday remanded four people, including an official of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy stadium.

The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court sent to custody Nikhil Sosale, Head of Marketing and Revenue of RCB, along with Sunil Mathew, Sumanth and Kiran Kumar from DNA Entertainment Private Limited, the event management firm involved in organising the event.

All the four were arrested this morning in a joint operation by the crime branch and Bengaluru police.

Sosale, who was arrested at Bengaluru Airport, as he was heading to Dubai, had filed a petition challenging his arrest at the Karnataka High Court.

Justice S R Krishna Kumar, who heard the petition, had declined an interim relief from arrest and adjourned the case to June 9. 

Basic protocol violated even near Vidhana Soudha: PWD report

The RCB felicitation ceremony held on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha has now sparked a political controversy and public debate. Now, reports of serious security lapses during the event have come to light.

According to a letter from the Public Works Department (PWD) to the Vidhana Soudha security police, the event stage was meant to accommodate only 25 to 30 individuals. However, the stage was packed with hundreds of people, including politicians, their family members, children, and even grandchildren.

This revelation adds further weight to the allegations of negligence and mismanagement that have followed the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left 11 dead. The fact that even in a high-security zone like Vidhana Soudha, basic safety protocols were violated has become a serious concern.

Karnataka HC restrains police from taking coercive action on KSCA officials

Priority is to build confidence among people, provide peaceful environment: Bengaluru top cop

Just hours after taking charge as the City Police Commissioner, Seemant Kumar Singh on Friday said the main priority is to build confidence among the people and provide a peaceful environment for them to stay here.

Singh, a 1996 batch IPS officer took charge as Bengaluru's top cop late night on Thursday, after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suspended City Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other officers for dereliction of duty in connection with Wednesday's stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed lives of 11 people and injured 56 people.

Speaking on the situation in which he took charge, he said, “It’s a difficult situation, no doubt. But basic policing is my priority, and I’ll be discussing with my officers and (will take note of) the feedback given by the public and press and all others. And based on that, I’ll take up the issues one by one”.

Earlier, Singh was serving as Additional Director General of Police, Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force.

According to him, at this point, he cannot say what is his priority unless he discusses with his officers but reiterated that the situation is challenging.

“I cannot right now say which is my priority, because it will be wrong unless and until I discuss with my officers. But certainly, the situation is challenging, and the main priority is to build the confidence among the people. Bangalore City Police is for you and will always be with you and provide a peaceful environment for you to stay here," Singh told PTI Videos.

Responding to a question on the alleged system failure that led to stampede, the top cop said that it’s very premature for him as an officer to tell that. “Some things must have gone wrong. We’ll discuss about that,” he added.

Stampede victim files FIR alleging negligence by RCB, Karnataka Cricket Board

K Govindaraj relieved from post of Political Secretary to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

K Govindaraj relieved from post of Political Secretary to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah 

4 officials of RCB, event management firm DNA entertainment arrested

A day after the stampede outside Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru claimed 11 lives and left several injured four officials of RCB and event management firm DNA entertainment private limited were arrested in connection with the stampede police sources said on Friday.

They were taken into custody in a joint operation by the crime branch and Bengaluru Police.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed that few arrests have been made in the connection with the stampede case.

“Few arrests have been made. Our teams are taking up the case very seriously, and ultimately the case has to go to CID. So before going to CID, whatever legal formalities have to be done by our team, they are doing it,” he said.

Nikhil Sosale, Head of Marketing and Revenue of RCB, Sunil Mathew and Kiran Kumar from DNA entertainment private limited are among those who have been arrested, sources said.

They were brought to Cubbon Park police station for questioning, sources said, adding that after medical examination, further process will be followed.

Some of them were reportedly taken into custody from the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on the outskirts of the city.

Police action followed the FIR registered on Thursday against RCB, the event management firm DNA, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).