who is nikhil sosale and why he is arrested in bengaluru?

Nikhil Sosale, RCB Marketing Head, was arrested by the Bengaluru Police very early Friday morning at Kempegowda International Airport. Police stopped Nikhil Sosale as he sought to fly to Mumbai because they believed he was responsible for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru stampede in which 11 people lost their lives.

This arrest is the result of Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka, directing action to be taken on Thursday against RCB, DNA Entertainment Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association. The major charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder have been mentioned in the FIR lodged against Nikhil Sosale and other officials.

🚨 BREAKING: Nikhil Sosale, RCB Marketing head has bedd arrested at the airport. pic.twitter.com/AJzP1p6I1P
— Tata IPL 2025 Commentary (@IPL2025Auction) June 6, 2025

How Did Nikhil Sosale Rise to RCB Marketing Head?

Under the Diageo India corporate setup, Nikhil Sosale works as the marketing head for RCB. He is responsible for setting the strategy, partnering with other companies, and business development for the high-value franchise within the IPL. Throughout most RCB matches in 2025, Nikhil Sosale was present and often seen with celebrities in the royal box.

Nikhil Sosale’s professional training includes a Double Major in Business from James Cook University, which was completed in the years 2008 through 2010. Professional networking pages suggest that Nikhil Sosale has led the process of shaping RCB’s brand and improving its revenue generation since the channel began. He also has close personal ties with Virat Kohli, his wife Anushka Sharma, and various other members of the team.

What Actions Has the State Government Taken?

The government in Karnataka has acted fast and systematically. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed various senior police officers which including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, as they saw many issues in how crowds were controlled during the event. A judicial commission with Justice Michael D’Cunha leading the investigation has been formed by the state to look into the details of the incident.

The deadline given to the commission is thirty days to provide its findings and suggestions. Besides, the Inspector General and Director General of Police are responsible for overseeing accountability in the organizations involved, which are RCB management, DNA Entertainment Networks, and KSCA.