Nikhil Sosale is the Head of Marketing and Revenue for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Diageo India, the holding company of the franchise. He has been in this role for nearly two years and has a long association with RCB, having been involved with the team since 2012 in various capacities.
Arrest and Allegations:
Sosale was recently arrested in connection with a stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during celebrations for RCB’s maiden IPL victory in 2025. The tragic incident resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries.
Police arrested Sosale from Kempegowda International Airport as he was reportedly attempting to travel to Mumbai. He, along with three executives from DNA Entertainment Private Limited (the event management firm), has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.
The allegations against Sosale reportedly stem from his suspected role in planning the team’s celebration parade and coordinating logistics. It is believed he was involved in circulating social media posts about a “victory parade” and free passes, even though city police authorities had reportedly denied permission for such an event.
Background and Role:
- Experience: Sosale is a marketing and revenue leader with over 15 years of experience in the sports and beverage industries, primarily with Diageo India.
- Association with RCB: He has held various pivotal roles within the RCB franchise since 2012, including Senior Executive – UB Sports Marketing Business, Manager – Commercial & Operations, Senior Manager – Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Lead: Business & Commercial Operations, and Head of Business Partnerships, before becoming the Head of Marketing & Revenue in September 2023.
- Public Profile: Sosale is often seen in RCB’s VIP boxes during matches and has been photographed with players and their families, including Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, who also follow him on Instagram.
- Education: According to his LinkedIn profile, Sosale holds a double major degree from James Cook University in Queensland, Australia.
Legal Action:
Nikhil Sosale has moved the Karnataka High Court to challenge his arrest, arguing that it was unlawful, arbitrary, and made without a proper preliminary police inquiry, possibly based on a directive from the Chief Minister. The court has so far declined to grant him interim relief.
The stampede has led to widespread criticism of event management and crowd control, with FIRs being registered against RCB, DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Several senior police officials have also been suspended in the aftermath of the tragedy.
