CAT slams Karnataka government over suspension of IPS officer in RCB victory stampede case

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has strongly criticized the Karnataka government for suspending senior police officers over the stampede incident that occurred near Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory celebration. The tribunal questioned the legal validity and rationale behind suspending the officers without proper inquiry or evidence of dereliction of duty.

The CAT bench in Bengaluru was hearing a petition filed by IPS officer Vikas Kumar, who was suspended in connection with the incident in which 11 people lost their lives and 56 were injured. Kumar, who served as the Additional Commissioner of Police, had moved the tribunal seeking to quash the suspension order. The hearing has now concluded and the judgment has been reserved.

Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, arguing for the petitioner, contended that the suspension order was issued on June 5, even before any departmental or magisterial inquiry had taken place. He pointed out that the magisterial inquiry was ordered on June 4, and no preliminary findings had been submitted when the suspension was enforced.

The tribunal expressed serious displeasure, questioning the basis for such swift punitive action. "How can the government determine dereliction of duty before any investigation report is submitted? Isn’t it premature and legally untenable?" the bench asked.

When the government counsel submitted that the suspension was based on prima facie evidence and enclosed a sealed report, the tribunal shot back asking who exactly determined the officer’s failure in duty and on what grounds.

The bench also pointed out the larger issue of planning the victory parade immediately after an entire night of citywide celebrations on June 3. "Police officers worked overnight to maintain law and order. Despite their warning against the parade, the government went ahead with the celebration on June 4. Why were the police not heard?" the tribunal questioned sharply.