A day after the suspension of several senior police officers in connection with the M. Chinnaswamy stadium stampede case, MLC K. Govindaraj was sacked from the post of Political Secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday (June 6, 2025) while Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Intelligence, Hemant M. Nimbalkar, was transferred out.
This came amidst criticism of Mr. Govindaraju’s role in the celebration of IPL 2025 victory by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), that led to a stampede and 11 deaths on June 4, 2025. Mr Govindaraj is a sports enthusiast and administrator and has served as the president of the Karnataka Olympic Association. There were also allegations by the Opposition about “intelligence failure” in anticipating the number of fans who turned up at the event.
Hemanth Nimbalkar, ADGP (State Intelligence), receiving Chief Minister’s Police Medal for 2024 during Police Flag Day. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
A government order said that the appointment of Mr. Govindaraj as Political Secretary to the Chief Minister has been revoked with immediate effect. Mr. Nimbalkar, however, remains ADGP and Commissioner, Department of Information and Public Relations, a post he concurrently held.
