Three Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans have been arrested by Karnataka Police for allegedly sacrificing a goat in front of a cutout of cricketer Virat Kohli in Mariyammanahalli village, Chitradurga district. The arrested individuals, identified as Sanna Palayya (22), Jayanna (23), and Tippe Swamy (28), are all residents of the village.
The incident came to light after a video surfaced online, showing the disturbing ritual following RCB’s thrilling victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In the 20-second clip, one of the men is seen holding a goat in front of Kohli’s cutout. As another man announces RCB’s win, the goat is slaughtered with a machete, and its blood is offered as “raktaabhisheka” (blood offering) to the cutout and a Kohli poster. A third man is seen restraining the goat with a rope.
The video, posted on Instagram by a user with the handle “call-me-143-kalki,” went viral, causing public outrage. In response, Molakalmuru police registered a case and arrested the three men under relevant animal cruelty sections.
RCB, though yet to win an IPL title in 18 seasons, has a passionate fan base. Fans were excited after the team’s victory over CSK, but authorities have condemned this act of extreme fandom as disturbing and misguided.
