Bengaluru stampede: CAT overturns IPS officer’s suspension

In a major blow to the Karnataka government, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has overturned the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was removed from duty following the stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. The tragic incident occurred during the RCB IPL victory celebration, where a large crowd had gathered. Eleven people lost their lives and over 50 were injured.

The CAT’s Division Bench, consisting of Justice B.K. Srivastava and Justice Santosh Mehra, delivered the order on Tuesday. The tribunal also directed the state to reinstate all benefits, allowances, and facilities to the officer.

Vikash Kumar Vikash, who served as Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police (West), had approached the tribunal arguing that he was unfairly targeted and made a scapegoat for the tragedy. He was overseeing security arrangements at the stadium when the stampede took place.

The Karnataka government had suspended five officers after the incident, including ACP C. Balakrishna, DCP Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, Cubbon Park Circle Inspector A.K. Girish, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, and Vikash Kumar Vikash.

However, the tribunal found merit in Vikash’s petition and questioned the fairness of the action taken against him. Earlier, the CAT had issued a notice to the state government seeking justification for the suspension.

With the tribunal now revoking the suspension, the government may face further scrutiny over how accountability was determined and whether the actions taken post-tragedy were based on proper investigation.