IPS officer Vikas Kumar, who was serving as Additional Commissioner of Police (West Division), has approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) challenging the Karnataka government’s suspension order. The action comes in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case, which claimed the lives of 11 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans outside the stadium premises.
The state government had suspended five senior police officials, citing dereliction of duty in handling crowd control during the victory celebrations of the RCB team. Among those suspended were B. Dayanand, then Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, H.T. Shekhar, then DCP, Central Division ,Vikas Kumar, Additional CP, West Division ,Balakrishna, ACP and Girish A.K., Inspector, Cubbon Park Police Station
The suspension orders were issued late on the night of June 5, just days after the tragic incident. Vikas Kumar has now filed a formal petition with the CAT, questioning the legality and fairness of the disciplinary action taken against him without a conclusive investigation.
His petition is expected to bring further scrutiny to the government’s handling of the aftermath of the stampede, which has already attracted criticism from the public, police associations, and civil society, many of whom view the suspensions as premature and politically motivated.
The case is now likely to be keenly watched, not only for its legal implications but also for its impact on administrative accountability and the morale of the state police force.
Congress faces flak over police scapegoating in Chinnaswamy stampede case
The Congress-led Karnataka government is facing increasing criticism over its hasty suspension of five senior police officers. What was initially portrayed as a show of accountability is now widely being seen as a political manoeuvre to shift blame and distract from deeper administrative failures.
While the Congress government has pinned the blame on the police, calling it a case of “dereliction of duty,” there is growing outrage among the public, civil society, and within the policing fraternity itself. Social media has erupted in protest, with many questioning the logic behind punishing officers widely regarded as capable and efficient. “Why punish honest officers for a systemic failure orchestrated at the political level?” is the question now reverberating across platforms.
In a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Indian Police Federation has come out in open support of the suspended officers, including Commissioner Dayanand. The federation has termed the action premature and “deeply demoralising” for the state’s law enforcement community.
“You have made the police the only scapegoats in the stampede case. Let there be an impartial investigation. Reinstate the suspended officers until the inquiry is over. If any disciplinary action is necessary, let it follow due process,” the letter reads.
The letter further notes that public tragedies of this magnitude necessitate shared responsibility rather than targeted retribution. It highlights how large-scale events, such as the RCB victory celebration, demand coordinated planning among civic bodies, event organisers, and political authorities. Instead of acknowledging this, the Congress government has conveniently shifted the entire burden onto the police.
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