The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has demanded the Karnataka government justify its decision to suspend senior IPS officer Vikas Kumar Vikas (2004 batch) following the deadly stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4.
Key Developments
The incident during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations claimed 11 lives and injured dozens
Vikas, then Additional CP (West), was among 5 officers suspended, including Police Commissioner B. Dayananda
CAT’s notice responds to a petition challenging the suspension’s procedural validity
Growing Controversy
The tribunal’s intervention highlights concerns about:
Whether proper disciplinary procedures were followed
Potential political pressure behind the suspensions
The action has drawn criticism from police veterans like Dr. Kiran Bedi, who called it a “knee-jerk reaction” to deflect accountability.
Broader Implications
The case could set important precedents regarding:
Administrative responsibility in crowd management
Due process in disciplinary actions against civil servants
With the state government required to formally respond to CAT, the outcome may influence how future public safety lapses are handled at the highest levels.
