“KSCA conducts 6-hour emergency session following Chinnaswamy stampede incident, accepts resignations”

Two senior KSCA officials, secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam, jointly resigned from their positions a few days after the sad event. After a six-hour emergency meeting on Saturday, June 7, the managing committee, which is chaired by President Raghuram Bhat, accepted the resignation of the two individuals who had decided to leave the matter on moral grounds a day earlier.

After Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced their victory, the ongoing rush incident that surrounded the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium took an unexpected turn, according to the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Given the seriousness of the issue, the Karnataka High Court decided to hear the case and make a decision on its own initiative, hearing arguments from the Karnataka Police, KSCA, RCB, and DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

“In order to make decisions, I had convened a meeting of the emergency management committee. The treasurer [ES Jairam] and secretary [Shankar], two of our members, have resigned. They resigned because they felt it was not appropriate for the office for moral reasons. I had to present the resignation letter to the committee in order for them to accept it, therefore that’s why the meeting was called. Whatever they have done over the past two and a half years, the committee commended their efforts. The resignation has been accepted. Since issue is in court, I am unable to discuss anything more. I’m at a loss for words,” Bhat said.

Although KSCA had previously said that the state police bear the moral obligation, the resignations of association members raised the possibility that the association and its members may also bear some of the guilt.

When asked about it, the former Ranji and India cricket player explained that he would only be able to comment when the time was right because the case is still before a court hearing.

“That specific topic is in court, therefore I don’t want to discuss it at all. We visited the court. It’s a really sensitive matter. I will personally call everyone of you and provide a thorough response when the time is right,” he clarified. The High Court’s next hearing is set on June 10.

The matter was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) one day before the meeting. After a series of heated arguments, Bhat stated that although they have not yet received any enquiries from the investigating authorities, the body will fully cooperate with them when they do.

“Nothing has arrived as of yet. We’ll provide the information when the inquiry is conducted. We have already informed the Honourable High Court and the administration that we are available to assist with the investigation. We won’t be afraid of anything. We are prepared to assist with the investigation, whatever it may be,” the 67-year-old continued.