Bengaluru, 11 June

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on interim bail for Nikhil Sosale, Marketing Head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), arrested in the stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people. The court will pronounce its verdict at 2.30pm on 12 June.

Sosale was arrested by the Central Crime Branch at Bengaluru airport on 6 June as he attempted to board a flight to Dubai. In his petition, Sosale questioned the legality of his arrest, alleging political interference.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty told the court that RCB’s official social media account announced a victory parade at the stadium on 4 June without official permission. He also claimed Sosale booked his flight tickets at 10.56pm on 5 June, hours before the arrest, suggesting intent to flee.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking in Gauribidanuru, dismissed opposition demands for his resignation. He cited past tragedies, questioning whether Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath or former Gujarat CMs resigned over similar incidents. He confirmed a magistrate inquiry is underway and pledged action upon receiving the report.