Bengaluru, August 30 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday announced fresh aid of ₹25 lakh each for the families of the 11 people who lost their lives in the tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL victory celebrations earlier this year.
Taking to social media after 84 days of silence, the franchise wrote: “We lost eleven members of the RCB family. They were part of us. Part of what makes our city, our community & our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us.”
“No amount of support can ever fill the space they’ve left behind. But as a first step, and with the deepest respect, RCB has extended ₹25 lakh each to their families. Not just as financial aid, but as a promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care. This is also the beginning of RCB CARES: a long-term commitment for meaningful action that begins by honouring their memory. Every step forward will reflect what the fans feel, expect, and deserve,” it added.
SIgnificantly, thr June 5 celebrations had turned tragic when a massive crowd outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium led to a stampede, leaving 11 dead and 56 others injured. Soon after, RCB had announced ₹10 lakh as immediate relief, and with Friday’s announcement, the total support to each family has now risen to ₹35 lakh.
The incident also drew sharp criticism. The Karnataka government, in its report to the High Court, held RCB management, event partner DNA Networks Pvt. Ltd., and the Karnataka State Cricket Association responsible for holding the celebration without necessary permissions or police consultation. Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission later declared the Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe for large-scale events, forcing Women’s World Cup matches to be shifted out of the venue.
Earlier this year, RCB, under Rajat Patidar’s leadership, had ended their 18-year wait by clinching their maiden IPL title in June, defeating Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings in the final at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
