BENGALURU: Senior IPS officer B Dayananda, who was suspended earlier this month in connection with the tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) victory celebrations, appeared on Thursday before Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesh G to record his statement as part of the ongoing magisterial inquiry.
The stampede on June 4 claimed 11 lives, including several students and women, and triggered public outrage over alleged lapses in crowd control and event planning.
Dayananda Recorded Statement for Over an Hour
Dayananda, an ADGP-rank officer and then City Police Commissioner, reportedly gave a detailed account of the events leading up to the tragedy, including security arrangements, deployment decisions, and the sequence of communication between the police, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), event managers DNA Entertainment Networks, and the RCB management.
Sources close to the inquiry said that the officer was also asked about permissions issued for the celebration, emergency preparedness, and internal departmental coordination.
Public Cooperation Sought for Eyewitness Accounts
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate has issued a public appeal asking eyewitnesses, survivors, and anyone with relevant photographs, videos, or documents to come forward and aid the inquiry.
Interested individuals can record their statements in person at the DC’s office on KG Road at 11 am on June 27. Officials have requested them to bring two certified copies of their written affidavits. The administration has promised confidentiality and emphasized that citizen participation is vital for establishing the full truth behind the tragedy.
Inquiry Report Expected Soon
The magisterial probe, ordered by the Karnataka government in the aftermath of the incident, is expected to submit its final report by the end of this week or early next week. The findings will be crucial in determining whether further disciplinary action or legal proceedings will be initiated against public officials or private event organizers.
Earlier, the suspension of Dayananda came amid allegations of negligence and failure to anticipate the crowd surge, as over 35,000 fans gathered at the stadium, far exceeding the venue’s safe capacity, without adequate exit controls or crowd barriers.
