Hyderabad police lathi-charge cricket fans celebrating India's Champions Trophy win
Hyderabad: Celebrations following India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory turned chaotic in Hyderabad on Sunday night, prompting police to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Jubilant fans took to the streets after India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai, leading to traffic disruptions and unruly behaviour.
The largest gathering was reported in Dilsukh Nagar’s Chaitanyapuri area, where hundreds of young fans, including hostel students, came out in large numbers. Many climbed onto vehicles, blocked roads, and burst crackers, resulting in a massive traffic jam near the Metro station. Despite repeated warnings from the police, the celebrations continued for hours, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
As the crowd refused to disperse, Hyderabad police initiated a mild lathi charge to restore order. Officers initially used microphones to urge fans to clear the roads, but some continued dancing atop vehicles and obstructing traffic. Police then took stern action, and videos of the lathi charge went viral, showing fans fleeing as officers intervened.
Traffic police officials stated that the situation became unmanageable when some individuals refused to cooperate. "We had no option but to use force to disperse the crowd and restore normalcy," a senior police official told OneIndia Telugu.
Nationwide celebrations amid chaos in Hyderabad
While the Hyderabad police action made headlines, celebrations erupted across the country after India’s historic win. Fans in Mumbai, Delhi, and several other cities danced, burst crackers, and distributed sweets.
India’s victory marked its third ICC Champions Trophy title, making it the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the players, calling the win an "exceptional game." President Droupadi Murmu and several political leaders also praised the team’s achievement.
India’s road to glory
In the final, New Zealand set a target of 252 runs, scoring 251/7 in 50 overs. India chased it down with one over to spare, finishing at 254/6. Rohit Sharma played a crucial knock of 76 runs, while contributions from the middle order secured the victory. With this win, India claimed its first ICC Champions Trophy in 12 years, having last won the title in 2013.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
