Madras HC declines CBI probe into Karur stampede, orders SIT investigation
A Bench of Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman noted that the Tamil Nadu Police's probe into the incident is only at an initial stage.
A Bench of Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman noted that the Tamil Nadu Police's probe into the incident is only at an initial stage.
A Bench of Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman noted that the Tamil Nadu Police's probe into the incident is only at an initial stage.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday refused to transfer the probe into the Karur stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The tragedy, which occurred on September 27, claimed 41 lives and left several others injured.
A Bench of Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman observed that the Tamil Nadu Police investigation is still at an early stage and that those seeking a CBI inquiry were not directly affected by the incident. Instead, the court ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under senior IPS officer Asra Garg, Inspector General of Police (North Zone), to handle the probe.
The Bench also recorded the State government’s assurance that no rallies or meetings will be permitted along state or national highways until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are framed. It further directed the government and political parties to ensure that designated venues for rallies have adequate drinking water, sanitation, escape routes, and parking facilities.
Reports suggest that a single-judge bench also criticised functionaries of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) over the incident.
The Madurai Bench issued the orders while hearing over a dozen petitions. Some had sought a CBI inquiry, others asked for SOPs for political meetings, and a third group demanded enhanced compensation for victims.
The stampede occurred during a TVK campaign rally at Veluswamypuram in Karur district. Permission had reportedly been granted for around 10,000 attendees, but the crowd swelled to between 25,000 and 60,000. Many people had gathered hours in advance under hot conditions without adequate drinking water or facilities. Narrow roads, power issues, poor crowd management, and escape paths blocked by barricades and hoardings worsened the situation.
At least 41 people, including women and children, lost their lives. Dozens more were injured. An FIR has since been filed against several TVK functionaries (excluding Vijay) on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence, and misrepresenting crowd size and venue arrangements.
(With inputs from BarandBench.)