Karnataka Drafts Law to Regulate Crowds, Organisers Risk Jail for Breaches

Bengaluru:

In the wake of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and injured 56 people, the Karnataka government has proposed a new law aimed at enforcing stricter crowd management protocols. The draft bill was discussed in the state cabinet and is expected to be introduced in the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly.

Organisers of public events in Karnataka who don’t obtain prior permission or fail to manage crowds responsibly could face up to three years in jail or a fine of up to ₹5 lakh, according to a draft legislation proposed by the state government.

The move comes weeks after the June 4 stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade, which killed 11 people and injured over 56.

The proposed law -- The Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025 -- was discussed at the meeting of the state cabinet on Thursday.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the draft bill will be placed again for the cabinet’s approval at its next meeting.

“Four bills were proposed today -- Karnataka Crowd Control, Managing Crowd at Events and Venue of Mass Gathering Bill, 2025; Karnataka Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025; Karnataka Misinformation, Fake News Prohibition Bill, 2025; and Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill, 2025,” he told reporters.

“It has been decided that before the next cabinet meeting, the ministers concerned will meet and discuss and bring the bills before the cabinet,” Patil said.

The proposed bill comprises a legal framework to regulate gatherings at “sponsored events and venues of mass gathering pertaining to political rally, jatra, conference, etc.” and seeks to fix accountability of organisers.