New Crowd Control Law in Karnataka: 3-Year Jail and ₹5,000 Fine
Weeks after the stampede during RCB’s celebration event in Bengaluru, which killed 11 and injured 56, the Karnataka government has proposed a new law to regulate crowd gatherings. The proposed legislation, titled “Karnataka Crowd Control Bill – 2025”, aims to establish strict penalties for failing to manage crowds properly during public events.
What the Bill Proposes
- If an event organizer fails to seek permission before organizing a public gathering or fails to manage the crowd effectively, they can face up to 3 years in jail or a fine up to ₹5 lakh or both.
- This law also targets events organized for commercial purposes, such as sports or circus shows, where large crowds are expected.
Action After the Stampede
The incident occurred on June 4 outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The stampede led to the tragic death of 11 people and left nearly 50 injured. In response, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda suspended three IPS officers, one ACP, and a police inspector.
Additionally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah removed his political advisor Govind Raju from his post.
Compensation for Victims
The Karnataka state government announced ₹25 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased, while the RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) franchise also pledged ₹10 lakh each.