He urged the KSCA to implement the recommendations from Justice John Michael Cunha’s Commission, indicating that the request could be reconsidered afterward. He emphasized that the government will refrain from making any “hasty decision” regarding this issue.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh mentioned on Tuesday that permission to hold the Vijay Hazare trophy match on December 24 at Chinnaswamy Stadium had been denied. The KSCA had requested permission to hold the match without spectators for now.
Matches have been suspended at Chinnaswamy Stadium following a stampede that occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration on June 4, resulting in 11 casualties. The Justice Cunha commission was established to investigate this incident.
“After Venkatesh Prasad (former cricketer) led the elected team to manage the KSCA, they approached the Chief Minister and Deputy CM for permission to host cricket matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The cabinet, after discussion, delegated the decision-making authority to me as Home Minister,” Parameshwara told reporters.
He noted that the Justice Cunha commission was formed post-stampede to investigate and provide a report, which included several observations and recommendations that were communicated to the KSCA for compliance.
“However, it appears they (KSCA) have yet to comply with any requirements.” Recently, during a meeting with KSCA administration to seek permission for matches, a discussion was held with senior officials present, he stated. “I had established a committee led by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commissioner Maheshwar Rao, which included the police commissioner and other officials, to assess the stadium and provide feedback.” They conducted their visit on Monday.
The committee found during their inspection that none of the KSCA’s recommendations were implemented, leading the Home Minister to conclude that permission for matches could not be granted, and this decision has been relayed to the association.
“My counsel to them (KSCA) is that they must adhere to the observations and recommendations from the Justice Cunha commission. We can reassess their request if they implement at least the short-term recommendations and ensure proper regulation at the stadium. All measures must comply with legal standards; otherwise, the value of Justice Cunha commission recommendations, which the cabinet has accepted, would diminish,” he stated.
The Justice Cunha Commission reportedly found that the “design and structure” of the stadium were “unsuitable and unsafe” for large gatherings.
Recommended measures included adequate gates for mass entry and exit, dedicated queuing and circulation zones separate from public roads, emergency evacuation plans meeting international safety standards, and sufficient parking facilities.
Parameshwara reiterated that no swift decisions can be made in this matter, emphasizing that KSCA has been urged to follow the recommendations, after which their requests may be revisited.
“Seventeen recommendations have been communicated to them (KSCA), and the Police Commissioner has outlined the critical ones that need to be complied with,” he remarked.
KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya announced on Tuesday that the Vijay Hazare trophy matches have been relocated to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, located on the outskirts of the city near Kempegowda International Airport.
In a statement, he expressed confidence that with a proactive approach and full adherence to the recommended measures, the KSCA believes that the necessary permissions for conducting Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium will be obtained soon.
