Today, On 27th October, The Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame a standard operating procedure within 10 days for holding political rallies. The Court clarified that its order will not restrict permissions for meetings outside highways.
A month after the tragic stampede in Karur that resulted in 41 fatalities during a roadshow organized by actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government on Monday to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for granting permissions for public meetings organized by political parties and other groups within ten days.
Bench, comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan, stated,
“In the meantime, this order shall not be an impediment for the authorities to consider applications seeking permission for public meetings in places other than state or national highways,”
The court emphasized that authorities must process applications for such meetings in a timely manner, allowing organizers to make necessary arrangements and ensuring public safety.
The bench warned,
“If anyone approaches the court alleging delay in disposing of such applications we will be constrained to pass orders,”
This observation was made following a submission by senior advocate V. Ragavachari, representing TVK, who noted that due to an undertaking made before the Madurai bench of the court, no permissions were being granted for political parties to hold public meetings on state or national highways until the SOP is established.
He claimed that the stampede on September 27 could have been avoided had the authorities granted permission in a timely manner. In response, additional advocate general J. Ravindran denied these claims, stating that currently no applications are pending and that all requests are dealt with within a reasonable timeframe.
The court recorded these submissions and issued the interim order.
Previously, it consolidated all petitions regarding the framing of the SOP that were pending before both the principal and Madurai benches, indicating that it would consider other reliefs if necessary after the SOP is established.
The incident on September 27, during a TVK rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, resulted in 41 deaths and numerous injuries. The chaos, including incidents involving Vijay’s campaign vehicle, triggered scrutiny of the party’s management of the event. Vijay himself was not named in any FIR, but the rally’s handling and aftermath became the focus of legal and political debates.
Earlier, On October 3, Justice N. Senthilkumar of the Madras High Court issued a critical order against TVK, noting the State’s investigation was “not up to mark” and directing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The High Court underscored its constitutional duty to intervene when investigations are inadequate.
TVK approached the Supreme Court, challenging this order, questioning both the criticism of the party and the SIT directive. Meanwhile, families of victims and other petitioners continue to demand a CBI investigation, though the Madurai Bench of the High Court had earlier declined such a transfer, noting the State investigation was still ongoing and that the petitioners were not directly affected.