In the wake of the tragic Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Karnataka government has introduced a landmark proposal to regulate crowd management at mass events. Titled the Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025, the draft aims to make event organisers legally and financially accountable for lapses in crowd control.
Heavy Penalties for Event Organisers
As per the draft bill, organisers of commercial events like sports matches, circuses, political rallies, jatras, and conferences must seek prior approval from local authorities and police, disclosing estimated crowd numbers. Failure to comply may lead to:
Up to 3 years of imprisonment
Fines up to ₹5 lakh
Or both, if proven guilty of violating crowd management rules.
In case of negligence causing harm or death, the event organiser will be required to compensate victims or their families. If unpaid, the government holds the right to auction the organiser’s property to recover the compensation as land revenue arrears.
Religious Events Exempted
Interestingly, religious processions and festivals such as Rathotsavas, Jatras, Pallakki Utsavs, and Urus are exempt from this Act, considering their cultural and traditional significance.
Tight Police Control
Before hosting any large event, organisers must submit details to the local police station, who can approve, adjust, or even cancel the event based on safety concerns. Any violation will be classified as a non-bailable offence, triable only by a first-class magistrate.
Part of Broader Legislative Reforms
Alongside the Crowd Control Bill, three other draft bills were proposed:
Rohith Vemula Bill, 2025 (to address caste-based discrimination)
Misinformation & Fake News Prohibition Bill, 2025
Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill, 2025
State Law Minister HK Patil confirmed that these drafts are undergoing thorough review before their final introduction.
