New Bengaluru Top Cop Speaks To NDTV After Takeover From Suspended Chief

The action against a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) member and three others in connection with the stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium was taken on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) that was registered on Thursday, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said.

"The action was taken on the basis of the FIR registered on Thursday," Mr Singh told NDTV. 

The top cop, however, refused to divulge further details or comment further on the case. 

Eleven people were killed and more than 50 were injured in the stampede that broke out during RCB's first-ever IPL victory celebrations on Wednesday.

According to the FIR, the RCB franchise announced the programme on social media, inviting people for the event despite having no permission from the competent authority. It was filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

On Thursday, Mr Singh was appointed the new police commissioner, hours after his predecessor B Dayananda was suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. 

On the same day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the arrest of representatives of the RCB team, event management company DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Four people were subsequently arrested.

According to the police, Nikhil Sosale, the head of marking for RCB, was among those arrested. He was on his way to Mumbai when he was arrested from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, at around 6.30am. 

Mr Sosale handles all promotional activities of the RCB and is the main link between the players and the franchise. He also handles the team's social media handles.

The remaining arrested people are members of DNA Entertainment Private Limited - Sunil Mathew (Vice President, handles IPL events for DNA), Kiran and Sumanth. 

Police said the arrests were made during an overnight operation carried out by the Central Crime Branch under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police Akshay. The accused are likely to be handed over to the Crime Investigation Department today. 

Two KSCA officials - secretary Shankar and treasurer Jayram - are absconding and efforts are on to trace them. Police said they were not found in their houses.