A serious security scare rocked the Indian Premier League 2026 season after two individuals were arrested for allegedly sabotaging surveillance systems at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans on April 24.
According to reports, the incident led to the shutdown of over 240 CCTV cameras after critical infrastructure, including Network Video Recorder (NVR) units and fibre optic connections, was damaged—creating a significant blind spot in stadium security.
The accused, identified as Manjunath (37) and Abdul Kalam (19), were working for a subcontractor under IVS Digital Solutions, which was responsible for managing surveillance operations at the venue. Based on a complaint filed by Staqu Technologies Pvt Ltd, the duo allegedly gained unauthorised access to the CCTV control room using a deactivated entry card and tampered with key systems.
Payment Dispute Behind Sabotage
Preliminary investigations suggest the act may have been triggered by a financial dispute, with the accused reportedly upset over unpaid dues of approximately ₹10 lakh. The disruption temporarily left crucial areas—such as entry gates, concourses, and corporate stands—without live monitoring.
CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspects entering restricted zones and damaging equipment, strengthening the case against them.
Swift Response Averts Crisis
Despite the scale of the breach, authorities moved quickly to restore surveillance through backup systems, ensuring the high-profile match proceeded without incident. A case has been registered, and further investigations are underway to assess the full extent of the damage and identify any lapses in protocol.
Concerns Over Stadium Security
The episode has once again raised concerns about operational preparedness at one of the IPL’s busiest venues, especially following past issues like ticket black-marketing and crowd management challenges.
On the field, RCB signed off their Bengaluru leg on a high, defeating GT to register four wins in five home games. The franchise is now set to shift its remaining home fixtures to Raipur due to scheduling commitments.
