Public announcement asking fans to move to stadium for victory celebrations was made on the steps of Vidhana Soudha, IPS officer tells Karnataka HC

The Hindu

2 days ago

Public announcement was made on the steps of Vidhana Soudha asking cricket fans to move to the stadium soon after the government's official ceremony of felicitating RCB cricket players concluded, and the senior police officers were made 'scapegoats' in the incident of stampede occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy stadium, it was argued before the High Court of Karnataka, on behalf of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash.
What govt. said
Earlier, it was contended on behalf of the State government that some police officers acted like 'servants' of RCB and 'embarrassed' the government due to the death of 11 persons in the stampede that occurred outside the stadium on June 4.
These submissions were made before a division bench comprising Justice S.G. Pandit and Justice T.M. Nadaf during an appeal filed by the State government, which had questioned the Central Administrative Tribunal's July 1 verdict of quashing the government's June 5 order of suspending Mr. Vikash Kumar, who was holding the post of Additional Commissioner of Police (West) on the day of stampede.
Senior Advocate P.S. Rajgopal, appearing for the government, argued that the police officers made some security arrangements without first asking who had authorised the public event.
Pointing out that the senior police officer have the power under Section 35 of the Karnataka Police Act to 'prohibit certain acts for prevention of disorder' Mr. Rajgopal contended that they failed to exercise this power and Mr. Kumar, who was allegedly aware of the request made by the Karnataka State Cricket Association on victory celebrations to the station house officer of Cubbon Park police station, had failed to take proper measure.
Senior advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, appearing for Mr. Vikash Kumar, contended that the senior police officers were made 'scapegoats' as suspension was not based on any material against the police officers but to fix 'accountability' to someone.
Though the order of suspension refers to dereliction of duty, the government has made it clear in its status report submitted to the High Court that it took action (of suspension) against senior police officers 'recognising the need for accountability within the law enforcement hierarchy.' Mr. Chinnappa pointed out.
It was also pointed out that an IPS officer cannot be suspended on the charges of dereliction of duty, sans following procedure, which in the case of Mr. Vikash Kumar has not been followed, argued Mr. Chinnappa. The arguments will continue on Friday.