Premature to say RCB's tweet triggered Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court on Monday observed that it is too early to presume that tweets by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) inviting the public to join the celebrations planned to mark the victory of their cricket team in IPL cricket, were the sole or primary trigger for the June 4 Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede in Bengaluru..Justice SR Krishna Kumar made the observation after Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty argued that RCB had recklessly invited the public to freely attend the event at Chinnaswamy Stadium by putting out three tweets (posts on social media platform X).The stadium was only meant to accommodate around 33,000 people. On the other hand, nearly 5 lakh people came to the stadium's gates hoping to meet the RCB team, leading to a stampede that led to the loss of 11 lives and left 56 people injured. .AG Shetty argued that RCB's tweets were viewed by 13 crore people. He added that shortly after RCB's team won the cricket match, RCB made an announcement in Ahmedabad that victory celebrations would be held in Bengaluru. The AG argued that all of this was done without taking prior permission from the State. He, therefore, urged the Court not to grant RCB or the event manager, DNA, any relief against possible arrests. Both RCB and DNA, and their officials, have moved the High Court with petitions to quash the criminal case filed against them in connection with the stampede. .Justice Krishna Kumar today said that he will hear the matter further on June 12. However, in the meantime, he urged the State to instruct the concerned investigating officers not to arrest anyone who has not yet been arrested. He pointed out that the Court has already granted interim relief from arrest to officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) who have also been booked in connection with the same case. He, therefore, questioned why similar relief need not be granted to RCB and DNA. The AG maintained that the allegations against RCB and DNA stand on a different footing as compared to KSCA. To elaborate on his point, he referred to RCB's tweets. "Your lordships are ignoring facts, the three tweets. Allegation is that they (RCB) tweeted and because of it the public came and stampede happened!" the AG said..The Court, however, eventually observed that it was too early to squarely blame RCB for the tragedy that unfolded on June 4. It would be premature to say that the entire sequence of events was triggered only by RCB's tweet or something else, Justice Kumar opined. "Today, we are not in a position to identify or to say that they (RCB/ DNA) are more responsible because of the tweet or government is.. It is premature.. So they are only asking for protection," Justice Kumar remarked. .Representing RCB, Senior Advocate CV Nagesh, meanwhile maintained that the blame lay with the State government."I have not invited anybody, it was the Hon'ble Chief Minister who invited everybody," he said.This stance has been strongly objected to by AG Shetty, who said,"Incorrect statement! Serious objection, they have to withdraw it, because it is their tweet.".The Court eventually said it will hear the matter on June 12. The judge, however, urged the State to honour a "gentleman's agreement" to avoid any more arrests of RCB or DNA officials till then."We will hear it (on June 12). But till then, don't do anything. When I am seized of the matter, for interim relief ... We are telling you (State), instruct them not to arrest anyone not arrest. They are already before the Court. If you can ... They've made submission, that Court has already granted relief to KSCA. Second (thing they are arguing is), there is no prima facie case. You reply day after, I will not pass order, but till then (don't arrest). Otherwise, there will be one more (case)," Justice Kumar said. "Once lordship asks, there is no question of saying no," the AG replied. .The Court also said that it would hear tomorrow (June 10) the petition filed challenging the arrest of RCB Marketing head Nikhil Sosale in the same case, on the question of interim relief. Sosale was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport in the early hours of June 6. His counsel, Senior Advocate Sandesh Chouta argued that the arrest was made illegally by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), which did not hold any jurisdiction to arrest Sosale since the investigation into the stampede had already been transferred to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) by then.Chouta added that Sosale was arrested only because of a directive from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and the arrest was made before the police had even conducted a preliminary inquiry. He argued that this was not permissible and that police officers are not expected to take orders from political persons while investigating a case. He also alleged that Sosale was not given mandatory information and documents during the arrest, which too raised questions about the legality of his arrest. "At the point of arrest, the person arresting has to have his badge, reason for arrest has to be conveyed ... you have to know arresting person is a police officer. In this case, the arrest takes place at 4.30 Am, by CCB, not police. Only at 8.20 am, some documents are given to me," Chouta submitted.The Court said that it will hear the State's reply on Chouta's arguments tomorrow, before deciding whether to grant Sosale any interim relief. .Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court had also initiated a suo motu case in the matter last week, when it sought a status report from the State. This suo motu case is also slated to be heard tomorrow.