Chinnaswamy stadium stampede: One year on, grief still fresh for victims’ kin

“My wife and I recently built a memorial and planted trees in Sahana’s memory on our two-gunta farm near Badavarahalli in Kolar district. Whenever we miss her, we go and stay there for a day or two to feel her presence and console ourselves,” said Suresh Babu, father of 23-year-old Sahana, who along with 10 others, lost her life one year ago in the city’s worst stampede tragedy.

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Thursday, June 4, marks one year since the tragic stampede near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during last year’s RCB victory celebrations. The incident claimed 11 lives, with victims aged between 16 and 29. Their families recall it as a dark day and say they never want such an incident to recur. While all have received compensation from the State government, they question whether money can ever restore lost lives and happiness.

On the afternoon of June 4, 2025, thousands of fans gathered after news of the RCB team’s arrival in Bengaluru went viral on social media. However, there was confusion over whether the felicitation would be held at Vidhana Soudha or at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This led to large crowds thronging the streets, with many climbing the stadium’s walls and gates to catch a glimpse of their favourite players. In the ensuing rush, several people were trampled, injured, and suffocated to death.

Haunted by sorrow

Mr. Suresh cried inconsolably as he said, “Going by the Hindu panchanga, we observed our daughter’s death anniversary on May 24 and served food to 800 people. I was supposed to do this for her wedding, but fate had other plans. We are living only for our younger daughter, Chandana, who is in II PU. Sahana supported her sister’s education and never allowed us to spend a single penny. She was passionate about sports from her school days and participated in several tournaments organised at her workplace. This wasn’t the first time she had gone to the stadium. Whenever there was an IPL match, she would buy tickets and go with her friends.”

He added that the family has withdrawn from social life. “We haven’t attended any events or gatherings. We have lost the happiness and peace that Sahana brought into our lives,” he said.

Rewind 2025: Fatal crowd crush

Lakshman D.H., father of Bhoomik — who was 19 years old and studying engineering at a private college in Banashankari when he died in the tragic incident — said, “He was our only son, and we see no purpose in life now. My wife and I haven’t smiled a single day since his death. Bhoomik had gone out with friends to eat shawarma near M.G. Road. After hearing that the RCB team was arriving at the stadium, they went there. What followed was completely unexpected. Yes, we received compensation, but can money, the government, or RCB bring back my son?”

Awaiting justice

Meanwhile, Karunakar Shetty, father of Chinmaya Shetty — who was 19 at the time of her death — said he was still waiting for justice. “All parties involved, including the government, blamed each other. Can someone take responsibility for the deaths of 11 people? That is why I initially refused to record my statement when the police called me during the investigation. Later, my friends convinced me to do so, but I asked them what the point was if the culprits would be let off despite our efforts. Had she been alive, she would now have been in his second year of engineering,” he said.

Shridhar K.T., brother of victim Shravan K.T. who was 20, said, “My brother was a dental student at a private college in Bengaluru. We are originally from Chintamani, and he was the first in our family to attend college. After his death, my mother fell ill and developed tuberculosis. She slipped into depression and stopped taking her medication. It took a long time for us to convince her to live for the sake of the rest of the family. Even now, she remains depressed and has not been able to accept his death.”

11 die in stampede as RCB victory celebrations turn tragic at Bengaluru

What began as a day of rapturous celebration over the IPL victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) turned into one of crushing tragedy in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening when 11 people — all aged below 40 — died and 33 were injured when a massive build up of fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium led to chaos and stampede.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu