Bengaluru Stampede: RCB's Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale Approaches Karnataka High Court Challenging Arrest

Marketing and Revenue Head of the Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB), Nikhil Sosale has approached the Karnataka High Court challenging his arrest in connection with the stampede that occured near the Chinnaswamy stadium ahead of RCB's victory celebration. Sosale was arrested by the Bengaluru Police in the early hours of June 6th (Friday).

He has contended that the arrest was illegal, arbitraty and not in accordance with the law. He claimed that he was arrested without any materials and even before the police had conducted a preliminary enquiry. He has thus sought to declare his arrest as illegal. 

On June 4, 11 people lost their over and over 30 people suffered injuries ahead of an event organised to celebrate the victory of RCB, for winning the coveted IPL trophy for the first time, since its inception in 2008.

On June 5th, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance of the unfortunate incident and issued notice to the Karnataka Government to ascertain cause of the tragedy and how to prevent it in future. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also ordered a Magisterial inquiry into the incident. 

Meanwhile, a petition has also been filed by the Managing Committee of Karnataka State Cricket Association, Bangalore and its office bearers, seeking to quash the FIR filed by the Cubbon Park police station against it. The plea is yet to be taken up by the court. 

KSCA has claimed that the management of gates was the responsibility of RCB Franchise /DNA who execute under the direction of the police. They argued that no wrong could be attributed to the Petitioner Committee or its office bearers as they stand aloof of any liabilities against the entire unfortunate incident.