MLC demands ₹1 cr compensation from BCCI for stampede victims

Mangaluru: Legislative Council member B.K. Hariprasad has called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pay ₹1 crore compensation to each family affected by the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL victory celebrations in Bengaluru. The disaster claimed 11 lives and injured many others.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Hariprasad highlighted the immense financial capacity of the IPL organizers. “The IPL organizers are billionaires who earn thousands of crores. They must take responsibility and pay ₹1 crore to each victim’s family,” he stated. Emphasizing that RCB is a private franchise—not a state or national team—he called the celebration “a private event that turned tragic.”

Hariprasad pointed out major lapses leading to the tragedy, including the overwhelming crowd of nearly 3 lakh, far beyond the Chinnaswamy Stadium’s 35,000 capacity. He criticized Karnataka’s inadequate police deployment, noting just one officer per 1,000 citizens during large gatherings. “The government must clarify who is responsible for these 11 preventable deaths,” he demanded.

He also questioned the decision to continue celebrations after the stampede, noting that the incident didn’t occur at the government-organized Vidhana Soudha event but still holding cricket authorities accountable. “Organizers should have respected stadium safety limits, and fans must be aware of risks. All celebrations should have been stopped immediately once deaths were reported,” Hariprasad said firmly.