CAT revokes senior IPS Officer’s suspension

Bengaluru: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) this morning quashed the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was held responsible for the June 4 stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.

Confirming the development, Advocate Dhanush Menon, Counsel for Vikash Kumar Vikash, told reporters, “The Tribunal has set aside the suspension based on the illegalities we projected and has directed that the officer be reinstated to his original position.”

In its order, CAT observed that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had announced celebrations without Police permission which did not give Police enough time to prepare. It further stated, “Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither God nor magician. They do not have magic powers like Aladdin’s lamp that can fulfil any wish.”

The CAT’s decision comes as a major relief to Vikash, who was among several senior officers suspended following the incident including Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda.

Sources indicate that Congress-led Karnataka Government may challenge CAT ruling in High Court.