RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale, vice-president of DNA entertainment arrested by Bengaluru cops over deadly stampede

BENGALURU: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) marketing head Nikhil Sosale and three executives of DNA Entertainment Networks have been arrested by the Bengaluru police in a late night operation in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, which snuffed out 11 lives and left 75 injured during victory celebrations.

Sosale, who is seen on television with cricket players during matches, was flying to

Mumbai when he was intercepted at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The other three arrested are DNA Networks (event management firm) director and vice president Sunil Mathew, DNA ticketing official Sumanth and DNA manager Kiran Kumar.

The police also reportedly conducted searches on the residence of DNA Networks founder and managing director T Venkat Vardhan. The police are also on the lookout for Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary Shankar A, who is a close aide of deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar.

The arrested and searches were conducted following a directive from chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday night to arrest RCB and KSCA officials who were responsible for the tragedy. The govt has already suspended Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda and four other police officers for dereliction of duty and negligence, which culminated in the tragedy.