Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s Political Secretary K Govindaraj Shunted Out Days After Bengaluru Stadium Stampede Kills 11

Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, MLC K Govindaraj, has been removed from his post with immediate effect, just two days after the stampede incident at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2025 winner Royal Challengers Bangalore's victory celebrations. The state government issued an official notification confirming his removal with immediate effect.

11 Killed During RCB Victory Celebrations

The action comes just days after 11 people lost their lives and 47 were injured in a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory parade on June 4. Thousands had gathered at the stadium, and the situation went out of control, leading to the deadly chaos.

Top Police Officers Suspended

Following the incident, the Bengaluru Police took swift action. Multiple IPS officers, including Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda, were suspended. Later that night, senior IPS officer Seemant Kumar Singh was appointed as the new commissioner.

Additionally, ADGP (Intelligence) Hemanth Nimbalkar has been transferred without a new posting, as per sources quoted by News18.

Govindaraj Denies Involvement in Parade Planning

Earlier in the day, Govindaraj denied media reports that claimed he advised CM Siddaramaiah against holding the RCB parade from the airport to Vidhana Soudha. He said his statements were “misinterpreted” and clarified that he had no role in cricket-related decisions.

"I head the Karnataka Olympic Association. I would be the last person to advise anything about cricket," he said, distancing himself from the controversy.

BJP-Congress War of Words

Meanwhile, the BJP accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of making the police a scapegoat. In response, CM Siddaramaiah hit out at the BJP for politicising the tragedy and said that action was already taken against officers found to be negligent.

"The government acted against officials who were visibly responsible," the CM said, defending the steps taken so far.