Bengaluru: In a major embarrassment for the Karnataka government, the suspension order against senior IPS officer Vikas Kumar—linked to the stampede incident at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium—has been quashed by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
The tribunal, comprising Justice B.K. Shrivatsava and Justice Santosh Mehra, ruled in favour of Vikas Kumar and directed the government to reinstate him with full back wages and all associated service benefits. The ruling followed a strong legal challenge mounted by Kumar, represented by senior counsel Dhyan Chinappa.
Kumar had been suspended in connection with the stampede at the stadium, with the government holding him accountable for alleged lapses in crowd management. However, arguing that the suspension lacked legal basis and that he was unfairly targeted, Kumar took the matter to CAT, demanding a review of his suspension and restoration of his reputation.
The CAT’s verdict to reinstate him and restore all dues not only vindicates Kumar but also deals a political setback to the state government. The tribunal’s order underlines that punitive actions against civil servants must be rooted in due process and accountability, not scapegoating.
The case has now become a reference point for other officers considering legal recourse against disciplinary actions taken without clear grounds.
