Top KSCA officials resign amid backlash after RCB celebration tragedy

Divy Dubey

Top KSCA officials resign amid backlash after RCB celebration tragedy image

The fallout from the tragic stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium continues to send shockwaves through Karnataka cricket.

Two top officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association - secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam - have stepped down from their posts, citing "moral responsibility" for the disaster that took 11 lives during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebration.

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The resignations come at a time when questions are being raised about the planning and clearance of the event - which was held just over 15 hours after RCB won their maiden IPL title.

In their letter to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, the two officials said that while their direct involvement was limited - they were stepping aside in light of the "unfortunate events."

"Due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts," the letter read.

Who has been held accountable so far?

According to ESPNcricinfo, Bengaluru Police filed an FIR on Thursday naming RCB, DNA Entertainment (the event partner) and KSCA as the primary accused. The FIR also revealed that police had denied permission to hold the event at Chinnaswamy - an order that was allegedly ignored.

Later that day, Nikhil Sosale - RCB’s marketing and revenue head - was arrested. His arrest followed a shake-up in the city’s police leadership - with Commissioner Bhaskar Rao being replaced by SK Singh.

More: Why Virat Kohli is facing backlash after the Chinnaswamy Stadium tragedy

How is KSCA defending itself?

In response, KSCA has filed a written petition - calling the FIR a "knee-jerk" action taken under political pressure. The body claimed it was not responsible for crowd control and said the tragic stampede was due to an unexpected surge.

More: What former RCB owner Vijay Mallya said about Virat Kohli after IPL 2025 trophy win - 'Made my dream come true'

Has RCB responded?

RCB hasn’t addressed Sosale’s arrest yet but they have announced ₹10 lakh compensation to each deceased victim’s family and promised to cover medical costs of the injured.

Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.