Bengaluru: The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, contesting comments made by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) that held the IPL team responsible for attracting large crowds, allegedly leading to a stampede on June 4 that resulted in the deaths of 11 people.
Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), which owns RCB, submitted the petition on Wednesday, challenging CAT's observations as legally unfounded and violative of natural justice. The petition stated that RCB was not a party to the proceedings, yet the tribunal made adverse comments against the franchise without allowing it to present its side.
According to RCSPL, the tribunal crossed its jurisdictional boundaries by attributing liability to RCB while multiple investigations into the incident—such as a magisterial probe—were still ongoing. The petition argued that the remarks were both factually and legally erroneous and prematurely made ahead of any official findings.
The contentious remarks stem from CAT's decision to quash the Karnataka government's suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was held accountable in connection with the stadium stampede. The CAT bench, comprising Justice B. K. Shrivastava and Santhosh Mehra, stated in its ruling that RCB posted celebratory content on social media without obtaining the consent of relevant police authorities.
The bench further highlighted the reach of these posts: the first garnered 16 lakh views, the second 4.26 lakh views, the third 7.6 lakh views, and the fourth attracted 17 lakh views. On this basis, the tribunal observed that RCB’s online activity was, prima facie, responsible for the congregation of three to five lakh people near the stadium premises.
"The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police," the bench noted in its order.
Meanwhile, the CAT has adjourned the hearing of the Karnataka government’s appeal challenging the quashing of IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash’s suspension. The next hearing is scheduled for July 17.
(inputs from IANS)