Parade stampede: Interim bail to RCB officials
OB Bureau
The Karnataka High Court granted interim bail to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) marketing head Nikhil Sosale and three officials from DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd in connection with the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during the team’s IPL victory parade.
Justice S R Krishna Kumar directed the release of Sosale, along with Sunil Mathew, Kiran Kumar S, and Shamant N P Mavinakere, from judicial custody on the condition that they surrender their passports.
The stampede occurred during RCB’s celebratory procession from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium, leading to multiple injuries and chaos. The four accused had approached the court challenging their arrests. The High Court heard their pleas on Wednesday before passing the interim order.
Senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, appearing for Sosale, argued that criminal liability cannot be imposed on employees when the FIR names the corporate entity.
Opposing the plea, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty contended that RCB had not secured official permissions for the event. He said the team only submitted an intimation letter through the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on the evening of June 3, after their IPL win.
He highlighted a series of RCB social media posts beginning 7:01 am on June 4 that publicly invited fans to join the parade, despite no formal approval from authorities. “With over 28 lakh followers, RCB announced a major public event without disclosing ticketing or entry details. This was not a State event, it was clearly theirs,” Shetty reportedly told the court.
The AG also alleged that Sosale attempted to flee by purchasing a flight ticket late on June 5.
Two other accused were apprehended near Hoskote. The State maintained that all procedural documents had been furnished, amid a defence claim of discrepancies in the arrest paperwork. The matter is still under investigation.
City rockets to global Top 15 in startup rankings!
OB Bureau
The city’s startup story has just entered a new chapter—one stamped with global significance. In the 2025 edition of Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report, the city climbed to 14th place among the world’s top 20 startup hubs, up seven spots from last year. The jump signals more than just a higher rank; it reflects how far India’s tech capital has come—and how far it’s poised to go.
While Silicon Valley, New York, and London continue to dominate the global charts, Bangalore is carving out its own distinct identity. A string of blockbuster IPOs in 2024 helped push the city’s ecosystem value to $136 billion. Food delivery major Swiggy made waves with a $12 billion public debut, followed by GoDigit’s $3.6 billion listing. Healthcare technology firm Indegene reached a valuation of $1.3 billion, while logistics player Blackbuck rounded off the year with a $1 billion IPO. These aren’t just milestone moments—they’re markers of a startup ecosystem maturing in real time.
Despite global headwinds, Bangalore’s early-stage engine continues to hum. In 2024 alone, the city pulled in $268 million in seed funding—up 26% from the previous year. A total of 114 deals were sealed, a sign that investors remain confident in the city’s innovation pipeline. India, as a whole, attracted $38 billion in venture capital funding between 2020 and 2024.
Backing this momentum is a dense web of supporters – more than 1,500 venture capital firms, over 2,200 corporate venture arms, and a vibrant network of 17,000 angel investors. For young founders, Bangalore isn’t just a place to start—it’s a place to scale.
The city is also fast becoming a force in artificial intelligence. Ranked fifth among the world’s top 50 AI cities, the city is seeing a steady rise in funding and deal volumes in AI and big data—sectors that have proven more resilient than most in recent years.
Rs 10 Cr party drug seized from foreigner
OB Bureau
A 25-year-old Nigerian national was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) near Rajanukunte in one of the city’s biggest recent drug busts. The accused was allegedly carrying over 5.3 kg of MDMA crystals valued at Rs 10.5 crore.
The woman, identified as Akinwunmi Princess Ifeoluwa—also known as Princess—is a resident of Uttam Nagar, New Delhi. Acting on a tip-off received around noon on June 10, CCB’s Anti-Narcotics Wing launched a swift operation in Tarahunase village, about 6 km from Rajanukunte. Officers recovered 5,325 grams of MDMA and an iPhone from her possession.
Inspector Rakshith A.K. passed the alert to senior officers, following which a special team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahananda H.K. was formed. The team located the suspect around 4 pm, loitering in the village with a bag and waiting for someone.
Initially hesitant to cooperate, the woman later admitted she had travelled to India on a student visa in October 2021, hoping to join a private university. When her admission plans fell through, she claimed she worked as a hairdresser and pedicurist in Delhi but turned to drug peddling after struggling financially.
Investigators said she confessed to being introduced to the narcotics trade by another Nigerian woman, known only as Asa. Acting on Asa’s instructions, she reportedly packed MDMA crystals into packets, boarded a bus to Bengaluru, and was waiting for details of the person she was to deliver the drugs to when police apprehended her.
A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Foreigners Act, 1946, as she had overstayed her visa. Further investigation is underway to track down Asa and others believed to be part of the trafficking network.