Karnataka clears three IPS officers in stadium stampede

The Karnataka government has formally exonerated three senior Indian Police Service officers of disciplinary charges related to a fatal stampede that occurred during a public celebration in Bengaluru last year. The decision, issued in government orders dated July 14, 2026, closes the departmental inquiry against former Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and two other officers, Vikash Kumar Vikash and Shekhar H. Tekkannavar.

The proceedings stemmed from a crowd surge outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025. The incident took place as tens of thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team's first Indian Premier League title victory. Official reports state the stampede killed 11 people and injured at least 56 others. The tragedy prompted immediate criticism of crowd management and security arrangements, leading to the suspension of several police officials the following day.

The three senior officers were suspended on June 5, 2025, pending disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services Discipline and Appeal Rules. Their suspensions were revoked in late July 2025, but formal departmental inquiries continued....