Bengaluru stampede: Siddaramaiah govt ignored police's advice to hold RCB's IPL bash on Sunday, says report

The government was discouraged to hold the bash on the very next day of the final match as police were exhausted giving security on the streets of Bengaluru where the victory celebrations went on till the early hours of Wednesday, Deccan Herald reported.

In the wake of the fatal stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, a senior police officer said as quoted by Deccan Herald, "We tried to discourage them but there was a mad frenzy. The celebrations had continued into the early hours, and our personnel were exhausted. Though we managed to cancel the victory procession, our request to either confine the celebrations to a single venue or postpone it to Sunday — when emotions would have settled — was ignored."

"We simply had no time to prepare. It was a case of ‘damned if you do, damned if you don't."

Eleven people died and nearly 50 were injured when the crowd outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium swelled and went uncontrollable turning the celebratory mood into a nightmare within moments.

Slamming the government which is run by the Congress, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said, "... First of all, the police denied then why did you (Siddaramaiah government) force them to give the permission? Secondly, I ask Siddaramaiah-ji why did they continue with the celebration after the occurrence of death?

"Why did the Deputy Chief Minister go to receive them? Is it the duty of the government? All leaders had brought their families and took selfies. Nobody is bothered about common people. Why did they continue with the celebrations?"

During a press conference this evening, Siddaramaiah, whose government is facing flak for alleged lack of proper arrangement, stated the administration did not expect the tragedy, as the stadium can accommodate 35,000 people.

"But the number of people who turned up is estimated to be two-three lakhs. We assumed there would be as many people as the stadium would accommodate or a bit more, but not as many as had actually turned up," Siddaramaiah said.

He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the stampede, and free treatment for the injured.

"I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into this tragedy. Appropriate action will be taken against the guilty. Instructions have been given to submit the investigation report within 15 days," he said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court took suo moto cognizance of the stampede case and the matter will be heard on Thursday.