After stampede, cold war erupts between IAS officers and IPS officers in K’taka

The tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives, has escalated into a cold war the Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers in Karnataka. What began as a tragedy has now turned into a war of accountability between two elite services.

The state government’s decision to suspend five police officers, including three senior IPS officers, has triggered resentment within the IPS fraternity. They allege selective punishment, arguing that no IAS officer has been held accountable—despite their involvement in approving related public events.

Among those suspended are B Dayananda, ADG and Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City; Vikash Kumar Vikash, IGP and Additional Commissioner (West), Bengaluru; and Shekar H Tekkannavar, DCP (Central Division). The suspensions were announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on June 5, citing “substantial dereliction of duty.” Two other non-IPS officers were also suspended—C Balakrishna, ACP (Cubbon Park), and AK Girish, Inspector (Cubbon Park Police Station).

Significantly, Vikash Kumar Vikash has challenged his suspension before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), questioning whether due process was followed in issuing the suspension order. His petition challenges the legality of the disciplinary action initiated by the state government and reflects the growing unrest among senior IPS officers, who view the move as unfair scapegoating.

IPS officers argue that the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) ignored explicit warnings from the city police and went ahead with a large-scale felicitation event at the Vidhana Soudha on the same day. According to them, the police had flagged concerns about inadequate time for preparation and crowd management, yet the programme was held on the iconic steps of the seat of power, drawing massive crowds.

“How can only the police be blamed when the event that attracted lakhs was approved by DPAR despite our red flags?” questioned a senior police officer. The IPS community is now demanding accountability from DPAR Secretary, the Home Secretary, and the Chief Secretary—all senior IAS officers.

On the other hand, IAS officers maintain their stance, claiming that the stampede occurred at the stadium, not at Vidhana Soudha, where the event reportedly passed off without incident. They argue that the Chinnaswamy Stadium programme was organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and that no IAS officer was involved in planning or executing the stadium event.

With the Indian Police Service Association now reportedly writing to the Chief Minister demanding revocation of the suspension orders, the episode has brought IAS officers and IPS officers into direct confrontation over accountability in the stampede incident.