Bengaluru, Jan 18 (.) Even as memories of the June 4, 2025 stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium remain fresh, the Karnataka government has granted conditional approval for the venue to host international cricket matches and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the decision is based on a written assurance and the “trust” placed in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Parameshwara said the government’s decision followed multiple inspections and committee reports, but acknowledged that permission has been given subject to strict compliance with safety conditions. “They have given it in writing that they will fulfil the conditions. We have put our trust in them,” he said.
The Home Minister said a Justice Cunha Committee was constituted after the stampede to inspect the stadium and recommend corrective measures. “The committee gave several recommendations, which were forwarded to the KSCA with instructions to implement them,” he said.
A cabinet-level committee was later formed to examine the recommendations, while a separate committee headed by Maheshwar Rao also studied the status of compliance.
“The Maheshwar Rao committee submitted its report, and the new KSCA committee has stated that it will fulfil all the conditions laid down,” Parameshwara said.
Noting that the IPL is scheduled to begin in March, Parameshwara said the cabinet deliberated on both short-term and long-term safety measures. “The short-term conditions have to be fulfilled before the IPL. Based on that, we have given permission subject to conditions,” he said.
He said the government would continue to monitor compliance, particularly with regard to major safety requirements. “We will see whether they fulfil another major condition as well,” he said, adding that work has already begun at the stadium and that all gates have been cleared.
The conditional approval, coming months after a serious crowd-control incident, has drawn attention to the government’s reliance on assurances from the KSCA, with Parameshwara underlining that the clearance rests on accountability and strict adherence to the stipulated conditions.
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