Bengaluru, 6 June

The Karnataka State Cricket Association had sought permission for RCB's IPL trophy celebrations at Vidhana Soudha, a letter sent by it to the State government has revealed, reaffirming KSCA's assertion that it facilitated approvals for the franchise that is under fire following 11 deaths in a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

After an FIR was lodged against them, KSCA President Raghuram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jayaram submitted in the Karnataka High Court that the gate management and crowd management were not the responsibility of the association.

A letter from the KSCA to the government on 3 June, which has been accessed by PTI, reveals that the cricket unit sought permission for festivities at the Vidhana Soudha by DNA Entertainment Networks. The KSCA stated that the concerned company would "make necessary arrangements" for the event.

While the felicitation at the Vidhana Soudha passed off without any major glitch, chaos erupted outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium where lakhs converged following RCB's social media invitation, which was eventually deleted. A planned victory parade had to be cancelled but the function inside the stadium proceeded despite the tragedy that unfolded outside.

The KSCA has pleaded in the state HC that there is "absolutely no wrong that can be attributed to the Petitioner Committee or its office bearers as they stand aloof of any liabilities against the entire unfortunate incident."

Justice SR Krishna Kumar, who heard the petition seeking to quash the FIR against the KSCA office-bearers, restrained the police from taking any coercive action against the officials until the next hearing.

The High Court has also taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic incident and has asked the state to file a status report. It will be heard on 10 June.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday accused the Opposition BJP and JD(S) of doing politics over "deadbodies", as he hit out at them for demanding his resignation.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "Karnataka State Cricket Association wrote (to the government) seeking permission…. I had gone to the airport (to receive the RCB team). I requested them to cooperate as there was no permission for the victory procession. I gave them a Kannada flag and welcomed them. What's wrong? What crime have I committed?"

On criticism about going ahead with the RCB celebration despite having information about deaths, Shivakumar said, "I had no information, I'm telling you..."

The Opposition BJP and JD(S) too lashed out at Congress government for making police officers the "scapegoats" for the stampede and alleged that the entire responsibility for the incident lies with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. They also demanded their resignation.

Defending the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and other police officials, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, " Prima facie those responsible, who have not fulfilled their responsibility properly have been suspended."