Bengaluru stampede: DNA Entertainment moves Karnataka high court to quash inquiry report | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd has approached Karnataka high court seeking the quashing of the Justice John Michael D’Cunha inquiry committee’s report into the June 4 stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium.The company has alleged procedural lapses and bias in the report, which holds officials from DNA, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), and cops, including former Bengaluru police commissioner, accountable for the tragedy.In its petition, DNA has argued that the report was submitted in undue haste, ignoring critical documentation that demonstrated the company’s efforts to manage the event inside the stadium. The company argued that it can’t be held liable for crowd mismanagement outside the venue, which falls under the jurisdiction of the govt and police.The petition also flagged the denial of cross-examination rights under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The company stated it had repeatedly requested the opportunity to question witnesses and inspect depositions, but wasn’t allowed to do so. It argued that this amounted to a violation of natural justice and rendered the findings legally untenable.Further, the petition pointed out that the authorities didn’t respond to memos filed by the company on July 3. DNA has also raised questions over the legality of the report’s timing — claiming the one-month deadline from June 5 had lapsed without a formal extension.The company noted that it had already paid for police deployment at the venue. It cited the relocation of a subsequent IPL match to Lucknow, which it claimed showed the authorities were aware of the capacity and safety issues but took no remedial action.The petitioner also raised concerns about simultaneous inquiries, including a parallel probe being conducted by the Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner. DNA contended that being subjected to both violates Article 20(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits multiple proceedings for the same offence.After procedural scrutiny, the petition is expected to be listed for hearing shortly. In a related development, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi adjourned the hearing of a suo motu PIL on the matter to next Tuesday.
