Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede: Bengaluru Police Arrest RCB Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale and Event Officials

Bengaluru police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in connection with the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy stadium on Wednesday, June 4. The stampede happened during RCB’s IPL victory celebration in Bengaluru. Sosale, who handles marketing and revenue for RCB at Diageo India, was arrested at Bengaluru airport while he was about to fly to Mumbai.

Reports say three employees from DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd, the company that managed the event, were also arrested. They are Senior Event Manager Kiran Kumar, VP of Business Affairs Sunil Mathew, and another staff member named Sumanth. An FIR has been filed against RCB, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The police are investigating the case at Cubbon Park Police Station, where the FIR was filed. The complaint names RCB, the event organizers, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as accused.

KSCA Officials Missing Amid Stampede Investigation

Meanwhile, the KSCA secretary and treasurer are reportedly missing. The police went to their homes but couldn’t find them. A judicial inquiry led by retired High Court judge Justice Michael D’Cunha has been started, along with an investigation by the CID. Earlier, RCB announced financial help of Rs 10 lakh for each of the 11 families of the supporters who died in the stampede.

The incident also got a strong reaction from India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. At the team’s pre-departure press meet, Gambhir said, “Lives are more important than roadshows. I have never supported them not in 2007, and not now.” He urged the teams to think about holding closed-door celebrations in the future to prevent such tragedies. Both the state government and RCB have announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family.

In a statement, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) expressed their condolences and commitment to supporting those affected by the recent tragedy. "As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident."

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