Karur stampede: Judicial commission begins probe; death toll climbs to 41

A single-member judicial commission headed by retired Madras High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, appointed by the Tamil Nadu government, has begun probing the Karur stampede. The death toll rose to 41 after 65-year-old Sukuna of Velusamipuram succumbed to her injuries late Sunday.

The stampede, among the deadliest crowd disasters in Tamil Nadu in recent years, has raised urgent questions about safety at political events.

The commission will examine crowd control measures, safety protocols, and possible lapses in event management that led to the tragedy. The panel will review how thousands were allowed to gather in congested spaces, whether crowd safety arrangements were sufficient, and if the long hours of waiting under harsh conditions contributed to panic and uncontrolled movement.

Political leaders across the country expressed grief and solidarity with the bereaved families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Governor R N Ravi, and several opposition leaders conveyed condolences.

Vijay said his heart was “overwhelmed with profound heaviness” and announced compensation for those killed and injured. Police have stepped up security around Vijay’s residence in Chennai’s Neelankarai, erecting barricades and deploying additional personnel to manage the growing media and public presence.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Stalin has cancelled all public engagements, including the inauguration of the Thyagaraya Nagar flyover and a scheduled visit to Ramanathapuram, to oversee relief efforts and support for victims’ families.