By Srian Obeyesekere
Indian cricketing superstar Virat Kohli’s cricketing career that took an acrimonious March test series defeat sparked retirement in June, has reached a further tumbledown from a yippy glee of his Royal Challengers Bengaluru team winning the Indian Premier League after a long last 18 years limbo to a spill over hurrah street celebration that ended in a pall of tragedy an ensuing stampede that brought death to 11 fans in an ugly twist that has led to accusing fingers pointed at him with a rights activist calling for his arrest on a police complaint of a serious nature alleging that the icon has been engaged in gambling on IPL cricket.
Bengaluru Police on Friday reportedly confirmed that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against cricketer Virat Kohli byfollowing a 6complaint linked to the stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4. The incident, which took place during celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first IPL title win, left 11 people dead and several others injured.
Arrest Kohli became one of the top trending hashtags on X after Bengaluru stampede tragedy claimed lives of 11 souls gathered to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win. (BCCI / IPL)
Arrest Kohli became one of the top trending hashtags on X after Bengaluru stampede tragedy claimed lives of 11 souls gathered to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win. (BCCI / IPL)
The complaint was filed by social activist HM Venkatesh at the Cubbon Park Police Station. In his submission, Venkatesh alleged that Kohli, as ag prominent member of the RCB team, was responsible for inciting the crowd by promoting what he described as “gambling through IPL.” He further claimed that the Indian Premier League is “not a sport but gambling that has contaminated the game of cricket.
The activist further alleged that Kohli’s role in drawing large crowds, particularly during the team’s victory celebrations, contributed to the chaos that led to the stampede.
“Virat Kohli of the Bangalore RCB team is the most prominent among those who participated in such gambling and incited people to gather in a specific place and caused this tragedy. Therefore, we request you to please make Virat Kohli and his team members accused in the FIR of this tragedy and take action,” the complaint read.
However, Bengaluru Police had clarified that while the complaint has been received, it will not result in a fresh FIR at this stage. “The complaint will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation under an already registered case,” a senior police official said, adding that the matter remains under detailed review.
The deadly stampede occurred outside the stadium on Wednesday evening as massive crowds gathered to celebrate RCB’s historic IPL win. Eyewitnesses reported overcrowding and a lack of crowd control measures.