The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed that no coercive or precipitative action be taken against the management of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) until the next hearing, provided they fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 dead and over 50 injured.
The HC also granted protection from arrest to KSCA officials.
Bengaluru Stampede Case
Justice SR Krishna Kumar issued the interim relief while hearing a plea filed by KSCA President Raghuram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar, and Treasurer ES Jairam, seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against them in connection with the incident. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty appeared on behalf of the State.
"No precipitative action shall be taken against the management of the Karnataka State Cricket Association till the next date of hearing, subject to the condition that they cooperate with the investigation," the bench ordered, as per a report on PTI.
The court also took note of two separate inquiries into the incident: a one-member commission led by retired High Court judge Justice John Michael Cunha, and a parallel magisterial inquiry. Both are probing the circumstances that led to the fatal stampede during the IPL felicitation event.
The matter is now posted for further hearing on June 16.
Meanwhile, the High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the stampede incident and directed the state government to file a status report. The matter is scheduled for hearing on June 10.