The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday adjourned to June 11, a criminal case registered in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede of June 4, which claimed 11 lives and left 56 people injured.
The single-judge Bench of Justice SR Krishna Kumar adjourned the case after the Counsel appearing for the Karnataka government sought time to prepare the arguments.
Appearing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) marketing head Nikhil Sosale, Senior Advocate Sandesh Chouta today argued that RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale, DNA Vice-President Sunil Mathew, DNA Manager of Operations Kiran Kumar S and one Shamant NP Mavinakere were selectively arrested in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case.
Noting that Shamant was not even an employee of DNA but only a freelancer, Chouta claimed that these arrests were made only because of pressure exerted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and not because the investigation required any such development.
He further highlighted the manner in which the first information report (FIR) filed in the case was drafted.
Anyone from DNA, RCB or KSCA could be arrested without having any role in the stampede. There were virtually no ingredients of offence, he added.
The Senior Counsel asked why the arrests stopped after June 6, when several State authorities faced departmental action for possible lapses on their part.
Senior Advocate Chouta alleged that police officers were suspended, the intelligence chief was transferred, while the political advisor was removed.
The authorities should have called people for investigation, not blatantly made arrests. He said when it came to mens rea, those arrested had no intention to cause stampede.
Regarding negligence, the Senior Counsel said whether it was RCB, DNA, KSCA or the state government, all stood on the same footing.
Appearing for the Karnataka government, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty said the State had answers to all of the questions raised by the petitioner, but it needed time for preparation.
The High Court then listed the matter for hearing on Wednesday.
On June 4, around five lakh people gathered at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to meet the RCB cricket team after their first Indian Premier League (IPL) victory in 18 years. Since the stadium had capacity to accommodate around 33,000 people only, it resulted in a stampede, leading to the loss of 11 lives and injuries to 56.
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