The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the state government not to file the final investigation report in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case—registered against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and DNA Entertainment Networks Ltd—without prior court approval.
Justice S R Krishna Kumar, while hearing a batch of petitions related to the tragic incident that occurred last month, extended the existing interim relief and scheduled the next hearing for August 5.
“Relist on August 5. Meanwhile, the respondent is directed not to file the final report without leave of the court,” the judge stated, continuing the previous interim orders.
Appearing for Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), which owns and manages the RCB franchise, counsel informed the court that the company was cooperating fully with the investigation. However, he cautioned that a premature chargesheet could inflict “serious and irreversible reputational damage.”
Taking note of the concern, the court orally instructed the state government not to proceed with the filing unless specifically allowed. “Don’t file without leave of court,” Justice Kumar reiterated.
In response, the state counsel assured the bench that no final report would be filed “in the next one week or 10 days.”
The court also acknowledged the potential legal implications for the petitioners. “Otherwise, if you file, then they will say permit us to amend [the petition] or file a fresh one. So, you complete everything,” Justice Kumar observed.
Meanwhile, counsel for DNA Entertainment Networks Ltd argued that the pending FIR was adversely affecting the company’s business operations, as it was obligated to disclose the criminal case in all its contractual engagements, causing practical difficulties.
The stampede, which took place outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during an RCB-related event, resulted in the deaths of 11 people and left several others injured. The tragedy prompted public outrage and led to criminal proceedings against the event organisers.
The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on August 5.
