Karnataka High Court Grants Interim Bail to RCB Official and DNA Executives in Stampede Case

In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court has granted interim bail to Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, along with three executives from DNA Entertainment. This decision follows their arrest in connection with a tragic stampede that occurred during an IPL victory celebration at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in multiple casualties. The court found insufficient evidence to justify their detention, emphasizing the lack of direct involvement in the incident. As investigations continue into crowd management failures, this ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the tragedy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 13, 2025, 13:00 IST

Interim Bail Granted in Bengaluru Stampede Incident

The Karnataka High Court has granted interim bail to Nikhil Sosale, who serves as the marketing and revenue head for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), along with three executives from DNA Entertainment, an event management firm. This decision comes in light of the tragic stampede that occurred at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru two weeks ago.

Sosale was apprehended at Kempegowda International Airport on June 6 while returning to Mumbai, just two days after the stampede during RCB's IPL victory celebration on June 4, which resulted in 11 fatalities and at least 75 injuries.

The court's ruling, delivered by Justice SR Krishna Kumar, indicated that there was insufficient evidence to justify the detention of Sosale and the DNA executives. The judge remarked that, based on the evidence presented, their direct involvement in the unfortunate incident could not be established at this time. Sosale had previously described his arrest as 'arbitrary and illegal.'

The court noted that the petitioners, who are officials of RCB and DNA, should not be held accountable for the incident without clear evidence linking them to the event's organization and execution. The court emphasized that they were not named as accused in the relevant FIRs.

This ruling follows a previous decision by the court to extend interim bail to senior officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which oversees M Chinnaswamy Stadium. KSCA secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned from their positions on June 7, accepting 'moral responsibility' for the circumstances surrounding the deadly crowd surge.

Investigations are ongoing as authorities examine potential lapses in crowd management and event planning that contributed to the tragedy.