Overview

• The draft Karnataka Crowd Control Bill would require organisers to obtain police permission for mass gatherings and classify violations as non-cognizable, non-bailable offences carrying up to three years in prison or Rs 5 lakh fines.
• Under the proposal, event planners must compensate victims or next of kin after stampedes and unpaid awards could be recovered as land revenue, with organisers’ assets subject to auction.
• Legislation outlines exemptions for traditional and religious festivities—such as jatras, rathotsavas, pallakki utsavas and urs—while covering commercial events, political rallies and conferences.
• The move follows a June 4 stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations that claimed 11 lives and injured more than 50.
• Law Minister H K Patil said the draft bill will be refined by concerned ministries ahead of formal cabinet consideration in the upcoming meeting.