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NEW DELHI: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said permission has been denied to host matches at the city’s Chinnaswamy Stadium as the KSCA, which manages the venue, has failed to meet safety and security requirements.
He advised the Karnataka State Cricket Association to comply with the recommendations of the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission and said the request could be reconsidered after that. He stressed that the government would not take any “hasty decision” on the issue.
Bengaluru police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh on Tuesday had said permission was denied to host a Vijay Hazare Trophy match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on December 24. The KSCA had sought approval to conduct the match without spectators for the time being.
Background of the stampede incident
Matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium were halted after a stampede outside the venue during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations on June 4, in which 11 people lost their lives. The Justice Cunha Commission was later set up to investigate the incident.
“After Venkatesh Prasad led team was elected to administer the KSCA, they met the Chief Minister and deputy CM, seeking permission to host cricket matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The cabinet after discussion authorised me as the Home Minister to take a decision,” Parameshwara told reporters here.
Committee inspection and findings
Pointing out that the government had constituted the Justice Cunha Commission to probe the stampede and submit a report, the minister said it made several observations along with recommendations, which were communicated to the KSCA for compliance.
“But, it appears so far they (KSCA) have not complied with anything.”
He said that when the KSCA administration recently met seeking permission to host matches, a meeting was held with senior officials in their presence. “I had constituted a committee headed by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commissioner Maheshwar Rao and consisting of police commissioner and other department officials to visit the stadium and provide feedback.”
The committee visited the stadium on Monday.
Stating that the committee found none of the recommendations had been complied with, the home minister said it was decided that permission could not be granted to host matches at the venue, and the decision was conveyed to the association.
Conditions for reconsideration
“My advice to them (KSCA) is that the observations and the recommendations made by Justice Cunha commission should be complied with. We can consider their request, if they at least implement the short term recommendations and regulate things at the stadium. Everything will have to happen within the framework of law, or else where is the value for the Justice Cunha commission recommendations, which has been accepted by the cabinet,” he said.
The Justice Cunha Commission reportedly concluded that the “design and structure” of the stadium were “unsuitable and unsafe” for mass gatherings.
Its recommendations include adequate entry and exit gates, dedicated queuing and circulation areas away from public roads, emergency evacuation plans in line with international safety standards, and sufficient parking facilities.
Reiterating that no rushed decisions would be taken, Parameshwara said KSCA has been asked to comply with the recommendations, after which its request may be considered.
“Seventeen recommendations have been sent to them (KSCA) and the Police Commissioner has told them the important ones; they have to comply with them,” he said.
Meanwhile, KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya said on Tuesday that Vijay Hazare Trophy matches have been shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of the city near Kempegowda International Airport.
In a statement, he said that with a proactive approach and full compliance with the recommended measures, the KSCA is confident the necessary permissions to host Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will be granted in the near future.
(With PTI Inputs)
