Tragedy Mars RCB's Historic IPL Victory Parade: 11 Dead in Bengaluru Stampede

Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 – What was meant to be a celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) historic maiden IPL title win turned into a horrifying tragedy, as a massive crowd gathered in Bengaluru for the team’s victory parade led to a deadly stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. At least 11 people lost their lives and over 50 others were injured in the incident that has sent shockwaves across the country.

The Celebration That Turned into Chaos

RCB, having clinched their first-ever IPL trophy after 17 seasons, announced a grand victory parade through the heart of Bengaluru on June 4. The event was scheduled to start at 3:30 PM from Vidhana Soudha and culminate at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a public felicitation ceremony was to be held.

As news spread, over 1.5 lakh fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes including Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Mohammed Siraj. However, with the stadium’s capacity limited to just 35,000, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.

Stampede Outside Stadium

Despite police warnings, fans surged forward at the gates of the stadium. The overcrowding led to a stampede-like situation, especially at Gates 3 and 5, where several people were crushed and suffocated in the chaos. The celebration was paused briefly but later resumed in a reduced form under heavy security.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as “absolute mayhem”, with ambulances struggling to reach the injured due to blocked roads.

Accountability and Legal Action

In the wake of the tragedy, Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against RCB, the event management company DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder and gross negligence in public safety management.

So far, four people have been arrested, including members of the organizing team. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

Public Reaction and Social Media Storm

The tragedy has ignited a storm of emotions online. While many expressed grief and anger, the hashtag #ArrestViratKohli began trending, sparking debate over the role of players in event planning. Kohli, who left for London shortly after the parade, later posted on social media expressing that he was “heartbroken” and “devastated by the loss of lives”.

Meanwhile, RCB issued an official statement offering condolences and announced that the franchise will match the government’s compensation package for the victims' families.

Who Were the Victims?

Among the deceased was CA Akshata Pai, a young gold medalist who had taken leave from her job just to witness the celebrations. Her tragic story, among others, has become a symbol of how quickly joy can turn into sorrow.

Final Thoughts

The RCB victory parade, once envisioned as a historic moment of jubilation, will now be remembered as a dark chapter in Indian sports history. As investigations continue and families mourn, the incident has sparked a nationwide conversation on crowd safety, accountability, and the need for responsible celebration.