Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) title celebrations turned sour on Wednesday (June 4) after the Virat Kohli-starreed led team arrived back in Bengaluru after lifting the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy on Tuesday (June 3) a Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium after beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final.

RCB planned a grand celebration in Bengaluru, which included a meeting with the Karnataka Chief Minister before an open bus parade and a felicitation ceremony at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After mega celebrations across the city last night, thousands of locals gathered near the venue to catch a glimpse of the victorious team.

However, things did not go as planned, as a stampede was reported with multiple deaths feared as well as several injuries. While more details are awaited on the incident, the celebrations inside the Chinnaswamy Stadium continued despite the incident.

Questions were raised on why the programme was stopped on the back of the incident. Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arum Dhumal opened on the incident and claimed that the officials inside the stadium were not aware of what had happened.

"We spoke to the management when we got to know about the situation and they assured that they will finish the ceremony quickly. This is definitely sad and tragic. RCB officials assured me that they will wind up the celebrations now,"

"... Officials inside weren't aware about what happened outside. They assured me they will wrap it up inside. It is very sad and tragic. Heartfelt condolences... We are not even aware whether someone has planned this event - how come such a huge crowd came to the stadium?," Mr. Dhumal said in an interaction with NDTV

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla called it an unfortunate incident and stated that the priority is to help those people are injured and remained mum on whether there will be any action taken against RCB.

It's extremely unfortunate. It should not have taken place. People are< you know, they are in love with cricket and all people in Karnataka, not only in Karnataka, throughout the country, were happy after the victory of RCB yesterday. But that does not mean that you know that there should be so much crowd that people trample each other and kill other people. It's very unfortunate

"Karnataka government will definitely do whatever possible to help the people and sometimes it happens you know inspire of police arrangement if there are so many thousands and thousands of people thronging upon, it becomes very difficult and people are so much in love with Virat Kohli and other members of the team that it has happened. It's very unfortunate, all my sympathies to those people who have died and been injured in this thing. Whatever help is required, we will do," said Rajiv Shuka in an exclusive interaction with Times Now

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia did not mince his words and called for better planning for such celebrations while giving the example of the T20 World Cup-winning parade in Mumbai last year after India's victory in the competition.

"It is very unfortunate. This is a negative side of popularity. People are crazy for their cricketers. The organisers should have planned it better. My deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. I wish early recovery of the injured.

"When one organises a victory celebration of this magnitude, proper precautions, safety and security measures need to be taken. There have been some lapses somewhere.After such a glorious ending to the IPL, this has been an anti climax. There have been IPL celebrations in the past as well, like in Kolkata last year when KKR won but nothing happened there," said Saikia to ANI.

"Same was the case when we won the T20 World Cup. There was a sea of humanity in Mumbai but nothing happened. Police and local authorities worked in tandem to ensure smooth conduct. I hope nothing more untoward happens.

"Even yesterday in Ahmedabad, during the IPL final, there were 120,000 people at the stadium but BCCI has a dedicated team which has done elaborate planning in coordination with local district administration and law enforcing authorities to ensure that safety and security of the spectators," Saikia added.

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