The Madras High Court has directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Karur TVK rally stampede that killed 41 people. Earlier, the Madurai bench had refused a CBI investigation, citing the State probe was still in early stages.
The Madras High Court on Friday reportedly directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the tragic stampede that occurred on September 27 at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur.
The stampede, which happened as crowds gathered to see actor-turned-politician and TVK founder Vijay, resulted in the death of 41 people.
According to an update from The Hindu, Justice N Senthilkumar issued the order while hearing a petition that raised questions about why Vijay was not included as a named accused in the criminal case registered following the incident.
The Court also reportedly criticised the TVK leadership for the way it has managed the situation.
Interestingly, earlier in the day, a Division Bench of the High Court’s Madurai seat had refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
The Bench noted that
“the State’s investigation into the case was at a nascent stage.”
The official order copy is awaited.
On September 27, a massive stampede broke out at the TVK rally held in Veluswamypuram, Karur district, where Vijay was campaigning. The incident tragically claimed the lives of at least 41 people, including women and children, while dozens more were injured.
Following the stampede, a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against several TVK functionaries.
The charges included culpable homicide not amounting to murder, as well as allegations of failing to ensure public safety and misrepresenting the expected crowd size and venue arrangements. Vijay, however, was not named in the FIR.
Later on Friday afternoon, a single-judge Bench at the Court’s Madurai seat also reserved its verdict on anticipatory bail applications filed by two TVK functionaries named in the FIR.
The Madras High Court’s move to appoint an SIT comes amid growing public concern over accountability and safety measures at political rallies, especially when large crowds gather to see popular figures.
By ordering a detailed probe, the Court aims to ensure a thorough investigation into the events leading to this tragedy.
The latest developments have also put the spotlight on TVK’s organisational planning and crowd management practices, with the Court reportedly stating that the party leadership needed to take responsibility for the lapses that contributed to the stampede.
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