Virat Kohli named in complaint amid probe into fatal stampede

A complaint was filed against Virat Kohli on Friday in Bengaluru, following the devastating stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium during a felicitation event organized for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 11 people.

The complainant, social activist A.M. Venkatesh, accused Kohli of indirectly contributing to the tragedy by allegedly promoting gambling through the IPL. Venkatesh claimed that the overwhelming turnout at the event was a result of the frenzy generated by the glamour and hype surrounding the IPL, and he urged authorities to name Kohli and RCB players as accused in the ongoing investigation. He stated that the IPL had transformed from a sporting event into a “gambling platform” that has tainted the sanctity of cricket.

The Karnataka Police confirmed that the complaint against Kohli would be reviewed as part of the wider investigation already underway. It will be considered in conjunction with the existing FIR filed in connection with the incident. Police officials, quoted by ANI, emphasised that the investigation is examining all aspects, including the roles of individuals and organizations involved in planning the event.

According to the FIR, the RCB franchise, the event management firm DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Administrative Committee are alleged to have organized the celebration without obtaining the mandatory permissions from local authorities. The absence of crowd control measures and coordination with law enforcement has come under serious scrutiny.

As the probe deepens, a Bengaluru Sessions Court on Friday remanded four individuals to 14 days of judicial custody. Those arrested include Nikhil Sosale, a senior RCB official, and three event managers associated with DNA. Their arrest followed a coordinated operation carried out by the Cubbon Park Police and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in the early hours of June 6 at the Kempegowda International Airport, as they were reportedly attempting to leave the city.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage and demands for accountability from civil society, with mounting pressure on both the cricketing fraternity and event organisers to answer for the lapses that led to such a loss of life. While the inclusion of Kohli’s name in the complaint has drawn widespread attention due to his stature in Indian cricket, legal experts suggest that the court and investigators will assess the allegations within the framework of existing laws and determine if there is any culpability.

(With agency inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day