Bengaluru stampede CAT quashes IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash’s suspension order

    Bengaluru, Jul 1 (PTI) The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday observed that the police are neither "God" nor "Magician" to manage massive crowds at short notice, while holding Royal Challengers Bengaluru "prima facie responsible" for the stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4.
    The observation came as the CAT quashed the Karnataka government's suspension order against senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who faced the action in the wake of a fatal stampede here last month.
    Eleven people lost their lives after nearly 2.5 lakh fans thronged the MG Road and Cubbon Road areas near the stadium after RCB announced a victory parade and a fan engagement programme to celebrate the team's maiden IPL triumph.
    "Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither "God" (Bhagwan) nor "Magician" and also not having the magic powers like "Alladdin ka Chirag" which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger," the CAT observed.
    The RCB had posted in its social media handles about the parade and the fan engagement on the morning of June 4, and the Tribunal noted that the police department did not have sufficient time in its hands to manage such a large gathering at such short notice.
    "Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the police. Suddenly, the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission," the CAT noted.
    The Tribunal then held that the Royal Challengers are "prima facie" responsible for the tragic events unfolded later in the evening near the stadium.
    "Therefore, prima facie it appears that the RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police," the CAT noted.
    "Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered," added the CAT.
    The RCB management was not available to make a comment on this development.
    Earlier, charges were pressed against RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association officials with regard to the gruesome events, leading to the resignation of KSCA secretary A Shankar and treasurer Jayaram.
    IPS officer Vikash had challenged the government's June 5 suspension order before the Tribunal, which also included the names of then Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar.
    Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reacting to the latest development, told reporters that there is an opportunity to go for an appeal against the CAT order.
    The Bengaluru bench of the tribunal comprising Justice B K Shrivastava and administrative member Santhosh Mehra, had reserved its verdict on June 24. On Tuesday, it set aside Vikash's suspension.
    Vikash's counsel, senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, said, "The tribunal has allowed the petition and annulled the suspension, affirming that he is entitled to all benefits as per service rules."
    The CAT also noted that its findings could be extended to the cases of Dayananda and Tekkannavar, opening the door for their potential reinstatement.
    "... in view of this Tribunal, the order has been passed in a mechanical manner and the order is not based upon the convincing materials. The police officers have been suspended without any sufficient material or grounds. Hence, the aforesaid order is liable to be quashed," the order said.
    "We allow the present petition, and quash the order dated June 4, in relation to the suspension of Vikash Kumar Vikash, (IPS, Inspector General & Additional Commissioner of Police, West, Bengaluru City)."
    The CAT then directed the government to reinstate the applicant immediately and said the period of suspension shall be treated as duty with full pay and allowances.
    State Home Minister G Parameshwara said he will review the order and consult with the CM regarding further legal action, as the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) comes under the CM.
    Meanwhile, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said, the CAT order revoking IPS officer Vikas Kumar's suspension is a "slap" on the face of the Siddaramaiah government.
    "This isn't just about one officer, it exposes how the Congress government tried to scapegoat the police department and tried to shift blame onto honest officers to cover up and shield its own criminal mismanagement in the BengaluruStampede tragedy," he said in a post on 'X'.
    The BJP was right all along that it was government "mismanagement", not police action, that led to the loss of innocent lives at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ashoka claimed. "The blood of 11 Kannadigas is on the hands of CM Siddaramaiah and DCM D K Shivakumar."
    Following the stampede incident, the CM announced the suspension of Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru city Dayananda, Additional Commissioner of Police Vikash Kumar, who was in charge of the stadium, Deputy Commissioner of Police of central division Shekhar H Tekkannavar, Assistant Commissioner of Police C Balakrishna, and Circle Police Inspector of the Cubbon Park Police station A K Girish.
    The government had suspended the three IPS officers under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969; while action against the ACP and PI was pursued under the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules, 1965.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)