Bengaluru:In response to the tragic stampede that occurred in Bengaluru on June 4, which resulted in the death of 11 people and injuries to over 60, the Karnataka government has proposed a new legislative measure titled the Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, 2025. The draft bill was tabled for discussion during the cabinet meeting held earlier today.
The bill is aimed at preventing large-scale tragedies caused by unmanaged crowds at public events. It proposes stringent penalties including up to three years of imprisonment and fines up to ₹5,000 for violations of crowd management protocols. The bill applies to sponsored events, political rallies, public meetings, and commercial shows like sports and circus events.
However, the bill exempts traditional and religious gatherings, including festivals like rathotsavas (chariot festivals), pallakki utsavas (palanquin processions), vallamkali (boat races), and urus (religious congregations).
Key Provisions of the Draft Bill:
Mandatory police permissions for any event involving large gatherings.
“Event planners“, defined as individuals or groups organizing such events, will be held accountable for crowd safety.
In case of violations leading to injury or death due to lack of permission or negligence, organizers may face up to three years in jail or fines up to ₹5 lakh, or both.
All offences under this act will be non-bailable and cognizable, and will be dealt with by a first-class magistrate.
The bill defines a “Karnataka Proposes Stringent ‘Crowd Control Bill, 2025’ After Bengaluru Stampede.
Political and Public Reaction:
The proposed bill follows a major political backlash after the June 4 stampede during a Congress-organized event. Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar faced strong criticism for what was widely termed as “gross mismanagement.”
In immediate action after the incident:
Several senior police officers in Bengaluru were suspended.
Four people were arrested, including a senior marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and three event organizers associated with DNA Entertainment Networks.
The government is expected to finalize and pass the bill in the next cabinet meeting, following legal vetting and public consultations.
This development places Karnataka among the few Indian states taking legislative action to institutionalize event-based crowd control, especially after mass casualty events.
