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Condolences from IPL Chairman

In Jalandhar, Punjab, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic stampede that occurred near Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. He emphasized that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had no prior knowledge of any such event being organized.

Dhumal described the incident as deeply unfortunate, stating, "We were unaware that an event was planned. In the future, if such gatherings are organized, adequate safety measures must be implemented. Those inside the stadium were not informed about the unfolding situation."

The stampede took place as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory.

Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reported during a press briefing that the incident resulted in 11 fatalities and left 33 individuals injured.

On behalf of the BCCI, Dhumal extended his sympathies to the bereaved families, remarking, "We express our condolences to those who lost loved ones. Instead of celebrating a title win, we are mourning lives lost."

He noted that the IPL, organized by the BCCI, had concluded just the day before. Dhumal assured that local authorities would investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede and implement necessary measures.

Upon learning about the stampede and the ongoing felicitation event, he instructed that the celebrations should cease immediately.

In response to inquiries, Dhumal clarified that they were not informed about the event and were uncertain whether cricket fans were officially invited or attended independently.

Siddaramaiah also expressed his profound sadness regarding the incident, stating, "A significant tragedy unfolded during the victory celebrations near Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and will cover medical expenses for the injured. This tragedy should never have occurred, and the government deeply regrets this incident."

RCB recently celebrated a long-awaited victory, clinching the IPL trophy after 18 years by defeating Punjab Kings by six wickets in the IPL 2025 finals held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.