Bengaluru Stampede Victim’s Family Waited 4 Hours to File Case – Shocking Delay Sparks Outrage Over Police Apathy
Bengaluru Stadium Stampede Tragedy: Teen Girl’s Death Sparks Outcry Over Delayed FIR, Security Lapses, and Poor Crowd Control
Bengaluru, Karnataka – June 5, 2025:
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday evening, the family of 15-year-old Divyanshi, one of the two victims who lost their lives in the crowd surge, has raised serious concerns about administrative apathy, security lapses, and a delayed police response. The grieving parents revealed that they had to wait nearly four hours to register an FIR after the incident, while also criticizing the lack of emergency medical support and crowd control arrangements.
The stampede unfolded during a public celebration organized to honour Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Indian Premier League (IPL) victory. As thousands gathered to witness the team’s celebration, chaos broke out at Gate No. 15, leading to the deaths of Divyanshi, a Class 10 student, and Kamatchi Devi, a 28-year-old software engineer.
Family’s Pain and Police Delays
Divyanshi’s father, Shivakumar, speaking to the media from their residence in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka locality, shared a harrowing account of the events. “My daughter was standing near Gate 15 with her mother and aunt when the crowd suddenly pushed forward. She lost her balance and fell,” he said. “Even after the incident, no immediate help came from the police or medical teams. She was taken in an auto to the hospital—there was no ambulance, no stretcher, no basic first aid.”
Shivakumar further revealed that after taking his daughter to the hospital, the family faced an additional ordeal—waiting nearly four hours before the police would file an FIR. “They kept us waiting and gave us no clarity. It was only after repeated pleading that they registered the complaint,” he said, accusing the authorities of gross negligence.
As Divyanshi’s body was taken for cremation to their native place in Andhra Pradesh, neighbours, family friends, and relatives gathered to express their condolences and support. The quiet lanes of Yelahanka were filled with grief as the family prepared for the final rites.
The Second Victim: A Life Cut Short
The second victim of the stampede, Kamatchi Devi, was a software engineer working in Bengaluru. She had joined thousands of fans to celebrate RCB’s historic win at the stadium when she was caught in the crowd crush. Her body was taken to her hometown, Mayiladumparai in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district, for her final rites.
At Vivekananda School in Mayiladumparai, where the body was brought before cremation, locals paid their final respects, mourning the loss of a promising young woman. Family members described Devi as an ambitious and hardworking individual who had recently started building a future for herself in the tech industry.
Eyewitness Accounts and Crowd Chaos
Eyewitnesses present at the stadium recounted that the crowd size had been severely underestimated by the authorities. “There was no crowd management at all. Police were absent or simply watching from a distance. People kept pouring in from different gates,” said Manoj, a local college student who escaped unscathed.
Another witness added that barriers were broken down as people rushed to catch a glimpse of the team. “It turned into panic. I saw people fall. There was screaming, but no one to help. No ambulances nearby either,” said Ranjitha, who was pushed aside and sustained minor bruises.
The celebrations, which were meant to be a jubilant occasion for RCB fans, quickly turned tragic due to what many now describe as an avoidable disaster caused by mismanagement.
Security and Intelligence Lapses Under Scrutiny
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar questioned the state’s preparedness for such large gatherings. “The government makes elaborate arrangements for political rallies and public events. Why was this celebration treated so casually? Where was the crowd control? Where was the police planning?” he asked.
Security experts and civil society groups have echoed similar sentiments. Former Bengaluru police commissioner R. Kumar noted that a preventive strategy and real-time surveillance could have averted the tragedy. “It’s basic protocol to estimate crowd numbers, manage entries and exits, deploy medical units, and have evacuation plans in place. It’s clear these were either not in place or poorly executed,” he said.
According to initial reports, the Bengaluru City Police had anticipated a crowd of around 25,000 people. However, unverified estimates suggest that over 40,000 turned up, overwhelming the available security arrangements.
Government Response and Compensation
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and Vydehi Super Speciality Hospital late on Wednesday night to meet the injured. Addressing the media afterward, he described the incident as an “unexpected tragedy that should never have occurred.”
He acknowledged that most of the victims were young, including students and professionals, and announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased. He also assured that all injured persons would receive free medical treatment and that an investigation would be launched to identify lapses.
“We will ensure this never happens again. A high-level committee has been tasked to look into crowd management protocols, and action will be taken against those found negligent,” the CM said.
However, families of the victims say compensation cannot make up for the loss of life and the trauma experienced. “No amount of money can bring back my daughter,” Shivakumar said. “We want accountability. We want change.”
Public Outcry and Legal Action
The incident has triggered widespread public anger, especially on social media, where #JusticeForDivyanshi began trending shortly after the news broke. Citizens, activists, and politicians demanded a thorough probe and resignation of those responsible for the mismanagement.
Public interest litigation is also being considered by multiple civil society organizations. “We will move the Karnataka High Court if needed. This is not just negligence—it’s criminal disregard for human life,” said Advocate Shweta Prakash, a human rights lawyer based in Bengaluru.
A formal case of negligence and culpable homicide is expected to be registered against the event organisers and responsible officials. A team from the National Human Rights Commission is also reportedly monitoring the developments.
Learning from the Tragedy
Urban planners and policy experts argue that India must adopt stricter crowd control policies, especially in rapidly growing cities like Bengaluru. “Every city that hosts large-scale events must have disaster mitigation and evacuation plans in place. A simple lack of signage or over-ticketing can lead to tragedy,” said Dr. P. Srinivas, a disaster management expert from IIM Bangalore.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines on mass gatherings were reportedly not followed, which may become a key point of investigation. According to NDMA protocols, every event involving over 10,000 people must have a risk assessment plan, emergency medical teams, and barricaded crowd flow zones. None of these were visibly present at the stadium event.
A Nation Mourns, A City Reflects
As the sun set on a grieving city, Bengaluru stood still—mourning not just two lives lost but a failure of systems meant to protect them. Schools in the Yelahanka region observed a moment of silence. RCB players also expressed their condolences, with captain Faf du Plessis tweeting: “Absolutely heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of our fans. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families. We promise to honor their memory.”
Meanwhile, the grieving families of Divyanshi and Kamatchi Devi are left with a void that can never be filled. Both girls had futures brimming with promise—cut short by an incident that could have been prevented with better planning and governance.
As India reflects on this avoidable tragedy, the demand for justice grows louder. A city that had gathered in celebration now seeks answers. And perhaps, from this sorrow, a new standard of safety and accountability can emerge.
