Power supply to Chinnaswamy Stadium disconnected over fire safety violations

The Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has severed the electricity supply to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, managed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), for violating fire safety rules.

The move follows a directive from the Director General of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, who instructed the BESCOM Managing Director to disconnect the stadium's power for failing to implement suggested fire safety measures.

The stadium is currently operating on generator power, according to the news agency ANI.

The decision comes days after 11 individuals died during a stampede outside the stadium as tens of thousands gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory.

According to a report in NDTV, this year's IPL matches at the stadium were held without the necessary fire safety requirements. Sources told NDTV that even on the day of the felicitation event, when the stampede happened, the stadium remained non-compliant with prescribed fire regulations.

Previously, the Karnataka High Court slammed BESCOM for continuing to supply energy to the stadium despite violations of fire safety regulations.

The issue arose during the hearing of KSCA's petition challenging the disconnection notification issued by BESCOM.

The petition, filed by KSCA challenging the disconnection notice, was heard by a single-judge bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav, ANI reported.

“Some developments have taken place after BESCOM issued the notice, and we filed the application in court. On June 12, BESCOM issued a notice of disconnection and disconnected the electricity. An application was filed on June 17 challenging that. The electricity connection was restored on the same day,” the petitioner's counsel stated.

The court noted that BESCOM supplied electricity while knowing that KSCA had not taken all necessary steps. BESCOM's lawyer, Likhit, informed the court that the electricity connection had been restored at KSCA's request but would be disconnected again.

The bench then stated that the government should issue a fire safety clearance letter. “If you provide electricity without consulting the government, the court will not remain silent. The disaster that has already occurred is enough. Who will be responsible if another mishap occurs? If fire safety measures are not taken, let the stadium remain in darkness. The only option left is to adopt fire safety measures to obtain an electricity connection. There should be zero tolerance for risks.”

KSCA's attorney urged that appropriate efforts were being taken and requested that BESCOM and the Fire and Emergency Services Department refrain from taking any coercive actions.

“The court will not say anything further in this matter. BESCOM counsel has given an oral assurance that they will disconnect the electricity connection. But first, ask the government. If the government instructs, it will be done. Otherwise, BESCOM will be held responsible for the mistake that has been made,” the bench said.

Following the arguments, the bench sent notices to the BESCOM Managing Director, Assistant Executive Engineer, and Director General of Fire Safety and Emergency Services, with the next hearing scheduled for July 15.

On June 10, 2025, the managing director of BESCOM was directed by the director general of the Department of Fire Safety and Emergency Services to cut off the power supply that had been supplied to KSCA since July 7, 2011, due to the organisation's failure to follow the fire safety measures recommended in the department's advisory letter dated May 11, 2023. As a result, on June 12, BESCOM sent KSCA a notice of disconnection.