Karnataka Government Drops Departmental Enquiry Against IPS Officers in Bengaluru Stampede Case; Former Police Commissioner B. Dayananda Exonerated
More than a year after the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic IPL victory celebrations, the Karnataka government has brought the departmental disciplinary proceedings against three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to a close.
In a significant administrative decision, the state government has dropped the departmental enquiries initiated against former Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, and former Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Vikash Kumar Vikash. The three officers have been exonerated of the disciplinary charges framed against them in connection with the June 4, 2025 stampede.
Separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) on July 14, 2026, state that the competent authority decided to close the disciplinary proceedings after carefully examining the written defence submitted by the officers and considering the views of the concerned administrative department.
The decision marks an important development in the administrative proceedings that followed one of Karnataka’s worst crowd-management tragedies in recent years.
Three Senior IPS Officers Cleared
The departmental proceedings have been dropped against the following officers:
B. Dayananda – Former Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City.
Shekhar H. Tekkannavar – Former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division, Bengaluru City.
Vikash Kumar Vikash – Former Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police (West), Bengaluru City.
The government concluded that no further disciplinary action was warranted after reviewing the material available on record.
Tragedy During RCB’s Historic IPL Celebrations
The disciplinary action originated from the devastating stampede that occurred outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, when thousands of cricket fans gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden Indian Premier League title.
The unprecedented celebrations attracted massive crowds around the stadium and adjoining areas.
As the gathering swelled beyond manageable limits, a stampede broke out outside the venue, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and leaving several others injured.
The incident triggered widespread criticism over crowd management, event planning and security arrangements, prompting the Karnataka government to initiate administrative action against senior police officials responsible for maintaining law and order during the celebrations.
Apart from public outrage, the tragedy also led to departmental proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
B. Dayananda Exonerated After Detailed Review
At the time of the incident, B. Dayananda was serving as Additional Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City.
Following the stampede, he was placed under suspension on June 5, 2025, under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
After remaining under suspension for several weeks, the state government revoked the suspension on July 28, 2025, exercising powers under Rule 3(7)(c) of the same rules.
Subsequently, formal disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him under Rule 8(4).
A show-cause notice accompanied by the Articles of Charge was issued on July 31, 2025, asking him to explain his role in the events leading to the stampede.
Dayananda submitted a detailed written defence on September 8, 2025, rejecting the allegations levelled against him and seeking complete exoneration.
After examining his explanation along with the opinion submitted by the administrative department, the Karnataka government concluded that the enquiry should be closed.
The latest order formally exonerates him from the disciplinary charges.
Shekhar H. Tekkannavar Also Cleared
Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division, also faced disciplinary proceedings following the tragedy.
Like Dayananda, he was suspended on June 5, 2025.
Following the revocation of his suspension on July 28, 2025, departmental proceedings under Rule 8(4) of the AIS (Discipline and Appeal) Rules were initiated against him.
Tekkannavar submitted his written explanation on September 8, 2025, denying the allegations contained in the Articles of Charge.
After reviewing his defence and considering the recommendations of the administrative department, the government decided to drop the enquiry.
However, unlike the other officers, the government order also includes a formal advisory.
While exonerating him, the state has issued a warning advising him to discharge his responsibilities with greater care in future and to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.
The advisory does not amount to disciplinary punishment but serves as an administrative caution.
Vikash Kumar Vikash Given Clean Chit
The third officer covered by the latest orders is Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was serving as Inspector General of Police and Additional Commissioner of Police (West), Bengaluru City, when the stampede occurred.
He too was suspended on June 5, 2025, under the provisions of the AIS (Discipline and Appeal) Rules.
His suspension was subsequently revoked on July 31, 2025, following which disciplinary proceedings commenced.
Like the other officers, Vikash Kumar Vikash submitted a detailed written defence on September 8, 2025, denying all allegations and requesting exoneration.
After considering his submissions and the administrative department’s opinion, the government decided that the enquiry proceedings should be closed.
He has now been formally exonerated of all disciplinary charges.
Government Cites Defence Statements and Administrative Opinion
According to the orders issued by the Karnataka government, the competent authority arrived at its decision after examining:
The written defence submitted by each officer.
The recommendations and opinion of the concerned administrative department.
The material available during the departmental proceedings.
Based on this assessment, the government concluded that continuation of disciplinary proceedings was not warranted.
Accordingly, all three enquiries have been closed.
Proceedings Were Departmental in Nature
The latest government orders relate exclusively to departmental disciplinary proceedings initiated under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
These proceedings were intended to determine whether disciplinary action was warranted against the officers for alleged lapses in the discharge of their official duties during the crowd management operation.
The government orders do not deal with, comment upon or determine the status of any other judicial or legal proceedings that may still be pending in connection with the stampede.
Administrative Chapter Comes to a Close
With the closure of the departmental enquiries, an important administrative chapter arising out of the Chinnaswamy Stadium tragedy has come to an end.
The Karnataka government’s decision effectively clears all three senior IPS officers of disciplinary liability under service rules after reviewing their explanations and the recommendations of the concerned department.
At the same time, the tragic events of June 4, 2025, continue to serve as a reminder of the critical importance of meticulous planning, effective crowd management and coordinated policing during large public gatherings. While the officers have now been exonerated in the departmental proceedings, the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede remains one of the most significant public safety incidents in recent years, shaping discussions on event management, accountability and preventive policing across the country.
