The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to key office bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in connection with the deaths of 11 people and injuries to many more in a stampede during the event held on Wednesday to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the IPL.

Justice S R Krishna Kumar, who heard the petition seeking to quash the FIR against the KSCA office-bearers, restrained the police from taking any coercive action against the officials until the next hearing. The court also directed the petitioners to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The petition to quash the FIR will be taken up again on June 16.

The KSCA 's lead office bearers comprise: former Karnataka spinner Raghuram Bhatt (president), K Sriram (vice-

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