Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken swift action by forming a high-level, three-member committee to draft comprehensive guidelines aimed at preventing a repeat of the tragic stampede that marred Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory celebrations on June 4. The incident, near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in a devastating loss of 11 lives and left 56 injured, prompting widespread calls for stringent safety measures.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia will chair the committee, which also includes Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and Treasurer Prabhtej Singh Bhatia. The trio has been given a tight deadline of 15 days to formulate robust guidelines. A BCCI media release confirmed the decision, stating, “In light of the incident that occurred during the victory celebrations in Bengaluru, the Apex Council has decided to constitute a committee to formulate comprehensive guidelines aimed at preventing such occurrences in the future.” This move comes as the Karnataka High Court has also initiated its own investigation into the stampede, setting up a single-judge commission and registering FIRs against RCB and the state cricket association, highlighting the serious implications of the event.
In parallel, the BCCI is also focusing on strengthening the backbone of cricketing integrity with the establishment of a Working Group comprising five ‘Umpire Coaches’. These coaches, mandated to have international umpiring experience as former umpires, will be instrumental in elevating umpiring standards across the board. Furthermore, a separate Working Group of three match referees has been constituted to oversee and develop referees, ensuring continuous opportunities for performance improvement.
During a sombre meeting, members of the BCCI Council extended their “profound grief” over the tragic air crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 270 lives, and also paid heartfelt homage to the victims of the Bengaluru stampede. These acknowledgements underscored the dual focus of the meeting: addressing recent tragedies while simultaneously implementing proactive measures for future safety and excellence in Indian cricket. The formation of these committees and groups signals the BCCI’s earnest commitment to enhancing safety protocols and fortifying the officiating framework within the sport.
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