Karnataka government exonerates three IPS officers in Chinnaswamy stampede case, closes departmental inquiries
The Karnataka government has closed the departmental inquiry proceedings against three senior IPS officers, including the then Bengaluru City Commissioner of Police B. Dayananda, who
The Karnataka government has closed the departmental inquiry proceedings against three senior IPS officers, including the then Bengaluru City Commissioner of Police B. Dayananda, who were facing disciplinary action over the June 4, 2025, Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, exonerating them of all charges under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969. On the fateful day, a crowd surge and stampede during the celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden Indian Premier League title win led to the death of 11 people and injuries sustained by 56 others.
Disciplinary action had been initiated against the officers following this incident. The orders, issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Services-IV) on Tuesday, relate to Mr. Dayananda; Vikash Kumar Vikash, the then Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police (West); and Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division. Suspended in 2025 The three officers were placed under suspension on June 5, 2025, a day after the stampede, pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings. Their suspensions were revoked in July, 2025, while departmental enquiries under Rule 8 of the AIS (Discipline & Appeal) Rules continued.
The government said each officer had submitted a detailed statement of defence on September 8, 2025, denying the charges and seeking exoneration. After examining their replies and considering the opinion of the administrative department, the competent authority decided to drop the disciplinary proceedings. Accordingly, the government has ordered the closure of the departmental enquiries and has exonerated all three officers of the charges levelled against them. However, in the case of Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, the government has issued a warning while closing the proceedings, directing him to act responsibly and ensure that such incidents do not recur in future.
No such warning has been issued in the orders pertaining to B. Dayananda and Vikash Kumar Vikash. The orders were issued by Sanjay B.S., Under Secretary to Government, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Services-IV), by order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka.
The BriefWire