IPL Stampede Row | “Suspended Without Proof?”: Karnataka Govt. Moves High Court Against CAT Order Quashing Suspension Of ACP Vikash Kumar
The Karnataka authorities In the present day (July 2) approached the Excessive Courtroom in opposition to the CAT’s determination to cancel ACP Vikash Kumar’s suspension after the IPL stampede. The State claims the Tribunal ignored key proof and overstepped its authority.
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BENGALURU: The State Authorities immediately moved to the Karnataka Excessive Courtroom in opposition to the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) determination that cancelled the suspension of Extra Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vikash Kumar Vikash.
His suspension adopted a tragic stampede exterior Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium that occurred on June 4, 2025, the place 11 folks died and 56 had been injured.
The CAT, in an order handed on July 1 by members BK Shrivastava and Santosh Mehra, dominated that the suspension was issued with out robust causes or correct proof.
The Tribunal mentioned,
“In view of this Tribunal the (authorities) order Annexure – A3 has been handed in a mechanical method and the order isn’t based mostly upon the convincing supplies. The Cops have been suspended with none ample materials or grounds. Therefore, the aforesaid order is liable to be quashed.”
Following this, the Tribunal directed the State authorities to instantly reinstate ACP Vikash.
The stampede occurred when 1000’s of followers gathered exterior Chinnaswamy Stadium to welcome the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) workforce after their victory within the IPL 2025. Within the aftermath, the Karnataka authorities suspended 5 cops together with Vikash Kumar Vikash, B Dayananda, Shekar H Tekkannavar, C Balakrishna (ACP, Cubbon Park), and AK Girish (Police Inspector, Cubbon Park) for alleged negligence in dealing with the group.
ACP Vikash challenged his suspension in CAT, and the Tribunal dominated in his favor. Nevertheless, the State authorities is now difficult that call within the Karnataka Excessive Courtroom.
In line with the federal government’s petition, the Tribunal made findings as if a full departmental inquiry had already taken place, although that was not the case. The federal government argues it is a incorrect strategy in regulation and in opposition to regular judicial process for dealing with suspensions.
The State’s petition additional states,
“Other than that the contents of the Suspension Order, the State Authorities had positioned on document the related extracts of the Karnataka Police Guide and likewise the evaluation of the sequence of occasions that had unfolded on 03-06-2025 and 04-06-2025, which had been submitted in a sealed cowl to the Tribunal and substantial materials was positioned earlier than the Tribunal in justification of the suspension order. The Hon’ble CAT with out contemplating the mentioned materials on document in its proper perspective has quashed the Suspension Order.”
The federal government additionally argues that the Tribunal misunderstood the aim and standing of each the magisterial inquiry and the one-man fee that had been set as much as examine the stampede. These investigations are nonetheless in progress, and figuring out these accountable is ongoing.
The federal government states that based mostly on the preliminary investigation and underneath correct service guidelines, the competent authority confirmed Vikash’s suspension. Additionally they famous that the Central authorities had already ordered a departmental inquiry which is in a complicated stage. This was verbally knowledgeable to the Tribunal on June 30.
“Nevertheless, the identical has not been thought of by the Tribunal in its ultimate order and the identical must have been atleast observed by the Tribunal earlier than passing the ultimate order particularly within the context of Rule 3 of the All India Companies (Self-discipline and Enchantment) Guidelines, 1969,”
-the petition says.
The plea additionally criticizes the Tribunal for making observations concerning the reinstatement of the 4 different suspended officers who weren’t a part of the case and didn’t even strategy the Tribunal.
“The Tribunal has rendered an opinion on issues exterior the pleadings and past the document, which clearly displays a prejudicial strategy and a departure from settled authorized ideas.”
The Excessive Courtroom will now determine whether or not CAT’s order was legally justified or if the State’s arguments warrant reinstating the suspension of ACP Vikash Kumar Vikash.
YESTERDAY ON THIS MATTER
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday (July 1) cancelled the Karnataka authorities’s suspension order in opposition to Extra Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vikash Kumar Vikash.
His suspension was associated to the tragic stampede exterior Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, the place 11 folks misplaced their lives and 56 others had been injured.
The gang had gathered to have a good time Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory.
A bench consisting of members BK Shrivastava and Santosh Mehra dominated that the federal government suspended the officer with out robust proof or correct reasoning.
“In view of this Tribunal the (authorities) order Annexure – A3 has been handed in a mechanical method and the order isn’t based mostly upon the convincing supplies. The Cops have been suspended with none ample materials or grounds. Therefore, the aforesaid order is liable to be quashed.”
The Tribunal ordered the Karnataka authorities to instantly reinstate Vikash.
Following the stampede, the federal government had suspended Vikash together with B Dayananda, Shekar H Tekkannavar, C Balakrishna (Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cubbon Park), and AK Girish (Police Inspector, Cubbon Park), blaming them for failure in obligation.
Difficult his suspension, Vikash approached the CAT. His lawyer argued that no present trigger discover was given earlier than suspending him and that no likelihood was given to defend himself. The lawyer additionally mentioned suspension is a really harsh motion and may solely be utilized in severe circumstances like corruption or prison negligence. Because the official magisterial inquiry continues to be occurring and no findings have been made in opposition to Vikash, the suspension is unfair and needs to be cancelled.
The federal government lawyer claimed that the police failed to stop the group from gathering, which led to the tragedy. In line with the federal government, the cops, together with Vikash, confirmed “a considerable dereliction of obligation.”
Nevertheless, CAT mentioned the suspension order didn’t clarify how this conclusion was reached and not using a accomplished inquiry.
It additionally mentioned that the Karnataka State Cricket Affiliation (KSCA) had solely knowledgeable the Cubbon Park Police Inspector concerning the RCB victory parade—not Vikash.
“After mentioning the title of 5 officers, it’s talked about within the order that the CEO of RCB had intimated Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru Metropolis on 03.06.2025 about holding the victory parade and celebration on 04.06.2025. The aforesaid portion of the order isn’t appropriate as a result of the respondents didn’t submit the copy of any intimation submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru on 03.06.2025. The respondents himself submitted the copy of letter Annexure – R2 on this regard.”
The Tribunal additionally identified that RCB didn’t take permission as required underneath the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Public Processions (Bengaluru Metropolis) Order, 2009.
Because the authorities has not but accomplished the inquiry, it’s nonetheless unclear who is actually answerable for the incident. CAT noticed that RCB could have prompted the stampede by sharing the celebration occasion particulars on social media with out getting police approval.
“With out acquiring the permission from the Police or with out the consent of involved Police Officers, the franchise of RCB positioned the knowledge to the general public on social media platforms.”
CAT mentioned RCB’s put up resulted in a crowd of three to five lakh folks arriving at a stadium that may solely maintain 35,000 folks.
“RCB didn’t take the suitable permission or consent from the Police. Out of the blue, they posted on social media platforms and on account of aforesaid info the general public had been gathered. Due to scarcity of time on 04.06.2026, the Police was unable to do the suitable preparations. Enough time was not given to the Police.”
The Tribunal added that the police had restricted powers in such a sudden scenario.
“Alladin ka Chirag”
With this, CAT dominated that Vikash’s suspension was unfair and needs to be cancelled.
The Tribunal additionally mentioned that different officers who’re equally affected must also get justice, even when they haven’t approached the court docket but.
“We additionally really feel our obligation to attract consideration of the State Authorities in the direction of the settled precept of regulation that the place a citizen aggrieved by an motion of presidency division has approached the Courtroom and acquire a declaration of regulation in his/her favour, different equally located must be prolonged the profit with out the necessity for them to return to Courtroom.”
Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa and Advocate Dhanush Menon represented Vikash Kumar Vikash.
Extra Advocate Normal Reuben Jacob and Advocate M Rajakumar appeared for the State authorities.
CASE TITLE:
Vikash Kumar Vikash v State & Ors
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