In a major administrative decision, the Karnataka government has revoked the suspension orders of four police officers—including two senior IPS officers—earlier suspended over their alleged roles in the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, which claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.
According to a government order issued on July 28, 2025, the suspension of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) B Dayananda (IPS:1994:KN), Superintendent of Police (SP) Shekar H Tekannavar (IPS:2014:KN), Deputy Superintendent of Police C Balakrishna, and Inspector A K Girish has been officially revoked. All four officers have been reinstated to service, though departmental disciplinary proceedings against them will continue.
However, the suspension of Inspector General of Police Vikash Kumar Vikash remains in effect, pending a court-monitored proceeding currently underway in the Karnataka High Court.
Stampede Inquiry Reports Prompt Reconsideration
The decision to reinstate the officers comes after the submission of two separate inquiry reports—one by the judicial commission led by retired High Court judge Justice John Michael D’Cunha, and another by the magisterial committee headed by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadish G. The reports were submitted to the government on July 10 and 11, respectively.
The inquiry commissions highlighted significant lapses in coordination and planning by multiple stakeholders, including the event organizer DNA Entertainment Networks, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the RCB management, and the Bengaluru City Police. While details of the reports have not been made public, sources indicated that preliminary findings may not have conclusively established individual culpability of the suspended officers.
Government Cites Procedural Grounds for Reinstatement
The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, invoking Rule 3(7)(c) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, formally revoked the suspension of the two IPS officers. The suspension of the state cadre officers was revoked under Rule 5(5) of the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules, 1965.
“Since both inquiries are complete and the officers have requested revocation, the government has reconsidered the matter,” stated the order.
Despite their reinstatement, all four officers will continue to face departmental inquiries under the relevant disciplinary rules. The government clarified that the revocation of suspension does not imply exoneration and that accountability will be pursued through ongoing proceedings.
Background: Chinnaswamy Stadium Tragedy
The stampede happened during an open-top bus victory parade held by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 4, 2025, in celebration of their IPL 2025 championship. The parade started from Cubbon Park and culminated outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where massive crowds had gathered.
According to internal sources familiar with the reports, no crowd-control personnel were deployed outside the stadium despite evident congestion. “Multiple warning signs were ignored. The failure to act on early alerts directly contributed to the disaster,” a senior official said.
The Siddaramaiah-led government had immediately suspended five officers, citing “substantial dereliction of duty.” With four now reinstated, the focus shifts to institutional accountability and systemic reform in crowd management protocols.
Also Read: Karnataka govt to reconsider IPS officer’s suspension
Join Us on WhatsApp