The Karnataka government on July 2, 2025, filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) order that revoked the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikas Kumar, who was suspended in the aftermath of the Bengaluru Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.

The incident in question occurred during a victory parade by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) following their championship win in the IPL 2025. The stampede claimed 11 lives and left more than 50 injured, sparking massive public outrage and administrative scrutiny.

The Legal Challenge

The petition was submitted by Advocate General K Shashikaran Shetty before a single-judge bench of Justice SG Pandit. While the High Court acknowledged receipt, it directed the state to rectify certain office objections before proceeding. The court has scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, July 3.

This move comes just days after CAT overturned the suspension of Vikas Kumar, who was then serving as the Additional Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru. His suspension was among several disciplinary actions taken against police officers following the May 2025 stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

CAT’s Ruling and Government Reaction

In its decision last week, the Central Administrative Tribunal ruled that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise was “prima facie responsible” for the tragic incident. According to the tribunal, the franchise:

• Did not secure police permission for the event.

• Promoted the gathering through social media, contributing to the unexpected turnout of approximately 3 to 5 lakh people.

The CAT pointed out that Vikas Kumar was not solely accountable for the failure in crowd management, especially given RCB’s independent actions.

In response to this ruling, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed that the state government is considering legal recourse. “There is an opportunity to appeal the CAT’s order,” he said during a press briefing at Vartha Soudha, the central office of Karnataka’s Information and Public Relations Department.

Backdrop: The Bengaluru Stampede

The Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede took place on May 27, 2025, during a celebratory parade organised by RCB. The event was initially hailed as a grand gesture of fan appreciation but quickly spiraled into chaos. The key issues cited include:

• Lack of coordination with the police

• Absence of crowd control mechanisms

• Sudden swell of fans, estimated between 3–5 lakh people

The result was a deadly stampede, particularly at the Gandhi Nagar and Cubbon Road junctions, where inadequate barricades and police presence led to mass panic.

Following the incident, the Karnataka government suspended multiple senior officials, including Vikas Kumar, holding them accountable for the breakdown in law and order and public safety.

The Controversy Over Vikas Kumar’s Suspension

The suspension of IPS officer Vikas Kumar sparked internal debates within the state’s administrative corridors. Many officers within the IPS cadre claimed that the entire blame was being unfairly shifted to the police, while event organisers like RCB were let off lightly.

The CAT’s ruling supported this view, stating that Kumar had neither approved nor supported the RCB event, and that responsibility was shared among multiple stakeholders, including private organisers.

This has led to a clash between legal directives and administrative authority, as the state government insists on accountability from its officers, while the CAT has highlighted procedural irregularities and scapegoating in the disciplinary action.

RCB’s Role Under Scrutiny

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise has come under severe public and legal scrutiny following the CAT’s statement. It was revealed that:

• The franchise did not obtain mandatory permissions from Bengaluru police.

• It advertised the event widely on social media, triggering a massive, unmanageable crowd.

These revelations have triggered calls for a formal inquiry into RCB’s role, and legal experts have suggested liability could extend to organisers, including franchise officials and event planners.

What Happens Next?

The Karnataka High Court is expected to hear the government's plea on July 3, and legal observers say this case could become a precedent in administrative justice and accountability.

Some likely outcomes include:

• Reinstatement of Vikas Kumar, if HC upholds the CAT’s ruling

• A reinvestigation into crowd management protocols and failure points

• Possible criminal or civil liability for RCB or its event partners

Meanwhile, public and political pressure continues to mount, with opposition parties questioning the government’s preparedness and response during the RCB parade and its aftermath.

Conclusion

The Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede was one of the worst public safety failures in recent Bengaluru history. The suspension and subsequent reinstatement of IPS officer Vikas Kumar has now become a legal flashpoint between the Karnataka government and the Central Administrative Tribunal.

With the Karnataka High Court set to deliberate, the case could redefine how responsibility is apportioned in public tragedies, and whether political and event organisers are held to the same standards of accountability as administrative officials.

The outcome will not only impact Vikas Kumar’s career but could also shape the future of public event regulation and law enforcement policy across the country.

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