E-Paper
Sign In
Bengaluru stampede: 'ArrestKohli' trends as angry cricket fans demand accountability
A complaint has been submitted with the Bengaluru Police against Indian cricketer Virat Kohli by a social activist
- PUBLISHED: Sat 7 Jun 2025, 11:44 AM
After the IPL victory parade of Royal Challengers Bengaluru turned into a stampede killing 11, a police complaint has been filed against cricketer Virat Kohli.
ANI reported that a complaint has been submitted at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park Police Station against Kohli by social activist HM Venkatesh.
Recommended For You
The Police have stated that the complaint will be considered under an already registered case and examined during the course of the ongoing investigation of the stampede incident.
The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR against the RCB franchise, in which they have said that they had denied permission to conduct the event at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB has been listed as the first accused in the FIR, along with DNA Entertainment, the franchise's event partners, and the KSCA, which is in charge of the stadium, reported ESPN.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Four people, three from an event management company and one official from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team were arrested early on Friday, June 6.
Two senior officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam, have resigned from their positions citing "moral responsibility" for the stampede.
#ArrestKohli trends on X
Venkatesh has alleged that Kohli promoted “gambling through IPL,” which incited the crowd and led to the tragedy.
“Virat Kohli of the Bangalore RCB team is the most prominent among those who participated in such gambling and incited people to gather in a specific place and caused this tragedy. Therefore, we request you to please make Virat Kohli and his team members accused in the FIR of this tragedy and take action," Venkatesh said in his complaint.
Kohli, whose heroic winning moments were being widely shared after RCB's IPL win, has been facing massive backlash online after the stampede.
The hashtag #ArrestKohli has been trending on the social media platform X as a section of IPL fans demanded cricketer be held accountable.
The Police was against the Celebration but the Karnataka government suspended Bengaluru Police Commissioner and other top cops to hide their mistakes !#BengaluruStampede #ArrestKohli
— Sumit Jaiswal ð®ð³ (@sumitjaiswal02) June 5, 2025
SHAME ON RCB pic.twitter.com/NOApfku2f2
RCB Marketing Head and Virat Kohli's Friend - remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. He will stay in jail
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) June 6, 2025
Tamil IT Employee, Kamatchi Devi (28)Killed in Brutal Chaos
Her body is being brought to her home town in Udumalpet
RESIGN KARNATAKA CM
Shame on RCB 𩸠#ArrestKohli pic.twitter.com/NfV1mdN81s
Some fans also pointed out that it was unfair to blame the cricketer as he wasn't the organiser of the event.
#ArrestKohli? For what â showing up and leaving after the event?
— Kedar (@Kedar_speaks88) June 6, 2025
He didnât organize the crowd.
Blame the system, not the players.
We stand with you, King ð#WeLoveYouKohli #ViratKohliðµ pic.twitter.com/zRdGiWgDxc
How the stampede happened
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's celebrations after their first IPL win soon turned sour after a stampede at their victory parade ate the M Chinnaswamy Stadium left 11 dead and 47 fans injured.
Joyous cricket fans had come out to celebrate and welcome home their heroes after RCB beat Punjab Kings in a roller-coaster Indian Premier League cricket final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
But the euphoria of the vast crowds in the southern tech city of Bengaluru ended in disaster. The stampede took place when thousands of fans attempted to enter the stadium in a hurry from various gates.
