The year 2025 saw a disturbing spectrum of crimes and public safety failures in Karnataka, ranging from large-scale stampedes to shocking acts of violence against women and systemic corruption.

1. Bengaluru IPL Stampede – June 4

• Celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first IPL title outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium turned tragic.
• Casualties: 11 dead, over 50 injured (mostly students and young fans, including a 13-year-old girl).
• Cause: Administrative lapses in crowd management led to panic and stampede. Investigations followed, highlighting gaps in public safety regulation.

2. Rising Crimes Against Women and Children

• POCSO cases: 4,096 in 2025, a 5% increase from 2023.
• Notable incidents:
  • April: A migrant worker in Hubballi murdered a 5-year-old girl after attempting sexual assault; police later killed the suspect in an encounter.
  • April–August: Brutal domestic homicides, including the murder of 42-year-old Lakshmidevamma by her son-in-law and accomplices, and Dr Kruthika Reddy by her husband Dr Mahendra Reddy.
  • Caste-related killings: A 7-month pregnant woman killed by her father and relatives in Haveri district, alleged to be an honour killing.

3. Dharmasthala Secret Burials Case

• Former sanitation worker CN Chinnaiah alleged being forced to aid in secret burials of women and children over two decades.
• Investigation yielded some human remains, but inconsistencies in Chinnaiah’s testimony led to his arrest on perjury charges.
• The SIT probe highlighted both potential criminal activity and fabricated evidence claims.

4. Political Violence and Retaliatory Murders

• May: Bajrang Dal activist Suhas Shetty killed in Mangaluru; linked to past criminal activities.
• Subsequent retaliatory killing: 42-year-old mosque secretary Imtiyaz hacked to death in Bantwal.
• Enhanced security measures included creation of a Special Action Force and involvement of the NIA.

5. Audacious Robbery in Bengaluru – November

• A gang impersonated government officials, hijacked a cash management van, and stole ₹7.11 crore.
• Investigation revealed insider assistance from a serving head constable and other police personnel. Most of the amount was recovered.

6. Prison Corruption and Security Lapses

• Parappana Agrahara Central Prison saw multiple contraband smuggling incidents between October and December.
• Arrests included warders, a prison psychiatrist, and an assistant sub-inspector, some aiding a high-security Lashkar-e-Taiba inmate.

7. Large-Scale Cybercrime

• November: A senior IT executive was defrauded of ₹31.83 crore by a gang posing as officials from law enforcement and banks, in one of the largest “digital arrest” scams in the state.

Analysis:
2025 exposed systemic issues in public safety, policing, prison management, and cybersecurity, while highlighting a persistent vulnerability of women and children to violent crimes. Authorities faced growing scrutiny over preventive measures, administrative oversight, and accountability.