Mon Dec 29 18:36:36 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Grapples with Crime and Tragedy in 2025
Bengaluru, India – December 30, 2025 – The year 2025 proved to be a tumultuous one for Bengaluru, marked by both tragedy and high-profile crime, according to a year-end report by The Hindu.
The city’s jubilation over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first Indian Premier League (IPL) victory in 18 years turned to horror on June 4th when a stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during celebrations claimed the lives of 11 people under the age of 40 and injured 56 others. The incident triggered a blame game between organizers and government departments, leading to the suspension of the Police Commissioner and raising questions about the stadium’s suitability for large-scale events.
In a separate incident, a brazen heist saw a group posing as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials steal ₹7.11 crore from a cash van on November 19th. While police swiftly recovered almost the entire amount and arrested nine individuals, including a constable and an ex-CMS employee, the incident exposed vulnerabilities in cash logistics and potential insider threats.
Adding to the year’s challenges, Kannada film actor Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer, was arrested in March for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth over ₹12 crore through Kempegowda International Airport. The case sparked political controversy, with accusations and counter-accusations flying between ruling and opposition parties.
Other notable incidents include the alleged murder of dermatologist Kruthika M. Reddy by her husband, general surgeon Mahendra Reddy, and the fatal shooting of Bhuvaneshwari, a bank assistant manager, by her estranged husband Balamurugan.
Law enforcement also made significant strides in combating drug trafficking, seizing an estimated ₹160 crore worth of narcotics and arresting over 1,500 individuals, including 52 foreigners, in connection with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Despite a decrease in the number of cases, cybercrime remained a significant concern, with over 13,000 cases reported by the end of November, resulting in losses totaling ₹2,038 crore. The recovery rate for these cases remained below 10%, with the majority of incidents occurring in Bengaluru.
First Piper 