Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has moved the Karnataka High Court against remarks by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that “prima facie it appears that the RCB is responsible…”, for the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru ahead of the team’s victory celebrations on June 4. The stampede claimed 11 lives.
“The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered,” the CAT said on July 1, quashing the suspension order against IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash and seeking a review on actions against other policemen accused of negligence in the matter.
“Suddenly, the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission,” the CAT had further observed. The quashed order had names of two other suspended IPS officers, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar.
In its petition, RCB contended that the CAT’s adverse observations were made without giving RCB an opportunity to present its defence, violating principles of natural justice.
“Despite not being a party before it, the tribunal held RCB prima facie responsible. The findings are contrary to natural justice as RCB was not heard,” the plea, moved through advocate Raghuram Cadambi stated.
The Tribunal further said it could not be expected from the police to make arrangements as per rules in just 12 hours: “Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither ‘Gods’ nor magicians, and also do not have… ‘Aladdin ka chirag’ which would fulfil any wish.”
When the Karnataka government moved the High Court against the CAT order, even the court observed that the suspensions were an ‘extreme step’ and asked the state to “justify whether it was proper to keep the officers under suspension, or, whether shifting them to another post would have been sufficient”.
That matter has been listed for hearing on July 9, and the HC refused to stay the CAT’s order till then.
Now, RCB has also moved the HC against the CAT’s remarks, holding it responsible for the stampede. The stampede marred RCB’s celebrations after its maiden IPL victory.