• Source:JND
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Chinnaswamy Stampede: Tragedy struck Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s IPL 2025 title celebrations when a massive stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday which resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people and left another 50 injured. The incident occurred amidst a huge crowd that had gathered for a planned bus parade, organized just hours after RCB's victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final on Tuesday.

As per a report from NDTV, four individuals have been arrested, including Nikhil Sosale, RCB's Head of Marketing and Revenue. Sosale was apprehended by police at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, around 6:30 AM on Friday as he was attempting to fly to Mumbai.

The arrests followed an order from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, who instructed authorities to take action against RCB representatives after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered, which includes charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. 

Who Is Nikhil Sosale?

As per his official LinkedIn profile, Sosale, born on August 18, 1986, has served as RCB's marketing and revenue head for nearly two years. He is an employee of Diageo India, which operates United Spirits Limited (USL), the owners of RCB since the departure of former owner Vijay Mallya. Sosale, based in Bengaluru, has been with Diageo for 13 years, working closely with the franchise throughout this period, including a stint as Head of Business Partnerships at RCB. He is reportedly in charge of the design and strategy behind the RCB brand and is followed on Instagram by Virat Kohli, and often seen alongside Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma in RCB's private boxes.

Given his involvement in RCB's marketing and business strategy, Sosale might be a key member in commundation between the organisers and government. What is shocking that  RCB continued their internal celebrations within the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, even after reports of the stampede outside had emerged. The celebrations were reportedly shortened, and RCB eventually released a statement acknowledging the stampede deaths several hours after the incident.

Stampedes occur frequently in India, mainly at religious events, but it was the first time in 45 years that fans had died in a crush at a sporting event, media said.

India's head cricket coach Gautam Gambhir said on Thursday he did not support such roadshows and celebrations.

"Celebration is important. But more important than that is the life of any person. So, if we are not prepared or if we can't handle the crowd in that way, then we might as well not have these roadshows," Gambhir told reporters.