Bengaluru Tragedy: Virat Kohli Accused of Inciting Crowd Through IPL Promotion

TDT | Manama

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Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has been named in a complaint filed in connection with the tragic stampede that occurred on June 4 outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.

The complaint, lodged by social activist HM Venkatesh at Cubbon Park Police Station, alleges that Kohli, a prominent player for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), played a role in promoting what the activist called “gambling through the IPL,” contributing to the crowd surge that led to the tragedy.

In his statement, Venkatesh accused Kohli of being “the most prominent” in endorsing and popularizing the Indian Premier League (IPL), which he described as an event that “has contaminated the game of cricket with gambling.” He further alleged that this promotion incited massive crowds to gather at the stadium, eventually leading to the fatal stampede.

“Virat Kohli of the Bangalore RCB team is the most prominent among those who participated in such gambling and incited people to gather in a specific place and caused this tragedy. Therefore, we request that Virat Kohli and his team members be made accused in the FIR of this tragedy and appropriate action be taken,” Venkatesh stated in the complaint.

Police officials have confirmed that while the complaint has been received, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Kohli or any other individual yet. According to sources quoted by ANI, the complaint will be examined within the scope of the ongoing investigation into the stampede.

The tragic incident took place during a promotional event outside the stadium, drawing an unexpectedly large crowd. The resulting chaos led to a deadly stampede that has raised serious questions about event safety protocols and crowd control measures.

As one of the most celebrated figures in Indian cricket, Kohli’s inclusion in the complaint has sparked debate and divided public opinion. While some have called the allegations baseless, others argue that the influence of celebrity endorsements in high-stakes events like the IPL deserves closer scrutiny.

Authorities continue to investigate the root causes of the stampede, with a focus on crowd management, promotional activities, and accountability. Meanwhile, families of the victims are demanding justice and stricter regulations for future large-scale public events.