Bengaluru: Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje visited the injured victims of the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede at Bowring Hospital on Thursday. The tragic incident, which occurred during the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL victory celebrations, claimed 11 lives and injured many others.
Karandlaje called the state government’s magisterial inquiry “insufficient” and formally urged the Karnataka High Court to initiate a judicial probe. “This was not an accident but a direct consequence of gross negligence by authorities,” she said, sharply criticizing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for attempting to distance the government from responsibility.
The minister accused the state administration of protecting incompetent officials, conducting a superficial inquiry, and misleading the public about accountability. She insisted that only a court-monitored investigation could uncover the truth behind the crowd management failures.
Karandlaje also proposed substantial relief measures: ₹50 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased victim, complete medical coverage for the injured, and psychological counseling for trauma survivors.
During her visit, hospital staff informed her that most patients with minor injuries have been discharged, while two critical cases remain, including a teenager with facial injuries. Several victims continue to exhibit signs of severe psychological trauma.
The minister’s visit has intensified political debate, as conflicting accounts emerge regarding event planning and security arrangements. With the state’s magisterial inquiry ongoing, opposition leaders continue to question its credibility, keeping the tragedy at the forefront of public discourse.