Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s Suspension Revoked

• Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and three officers had their suspensions revoked by Karnataka.
• Their reinstatement follows inquiry reports into the June 4 stadium stampede.
• Disciplinary proceedings are pending, with a tribunal criticizing short notice for crowd control.

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 28th July: The Karnataka government today revoked the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and three other officers, more than a month after they were suspended following the June 4 stampede that resulted in 11 fatalities. The reinstated officers include Deputy Commissioner of Police Shekar H Tekkannavar (IPS), Assistant Commissioner of Police C Balakrishna, and Inspector K Girish.

Their reinstatement follows the submission of reports by both a magisterial enquiry and a one-man judicial commission, chaired by retired Karnataka High Court Justice John Michael Cunha, which investigated the stampede incident. A government order stated that “Since, both the Judicial Commission and the Magisterial Committee have completed their enquiry into the stampede incident and submitted their reports to the government. The officers also submitted representations requesting to revoke their suspension.”

The officers have been reinstated into service with immediate effect, with the caveat that disciplinary proceedings against them are still pending. The ruling Congress government had faced criticism from the opposition BJP, who accused them of scapegoating the police chief and other officers.

Earlier this month, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had independently revoked the Karnataka government’s suspension order against senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, observing that police are neither “God” nor “Magician” to manage massive crowds at short notice. The tribunal noted that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had announced the parade and fan engagement on social media only on the morning of June 4, leaving insufficient time for the police department to make appropriate arrangements. “Because of a shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the police were unable to make the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the police. Suddenly, the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission,” the CAT remarked. However, Vikash Kumar Vikash has not yet been reinstated, as his case remains in court.

The initial suspensions of the three IPS officers were enacted under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, while action against the ACP and PI was pursued under the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules, 1965.

The tragic stampede occurred when approximately 2.5 lakh fans converged on MG Road and Cubbon Road areas near the stadium for a victory parade and fan engagement program organized by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to celebrate their maiden IPL triumph. The Karnataka government had previously justified the suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash before the High Court, arguing that the officers acted as “servants of RCB” during preparations, leading to public embarrassment and the stampede. Senior Counsel PS Rajagopal, representing the state, informed the court that RCB had submitted a proposal to police officials regarding celebrations even before the IPL final was played. He contended that instead of seeking proper authorization for such a large gathering, the officers proceeded with security arrangements without consulting superiors or confirming necessary permissions. Rajagopal questioned what proactive steps the suspended officer took to manage such a massive crowd in under 12 hours.