The CBI has taken charge of the Karur stampede investigation that claimed 41 lives during Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally. The Supreme Court has ordered an impartial probe under a panel led by ex-Justice Ajay Rastogi.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the probe into the Karur stampede tragedy, in which 41 people lost their lives and more than 60 were injured during a political rally organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu.
Officials confirmed on Sunday that a special team from the CBI has already visited the stampede site at Velusamypuram in Karur district to begin the investigation.
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The tragic incident took place on September 27, when a huge crowd had gathered to attend a public meeting addressed by Vijay.
As per official procedure, the CBI has re-registered the First Information Report (FIR) initially filed by the Tamil Nadu Police and has informed the local court about taking over the case.
The Supreme Court of India had earlier transferred the case to the CBI after a petition was filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), seeking an independent and unbiased investigation into the incident.
The apex court directed the CBI Director to appoint a senior officer to lead the probe and assign additional officers to assist in the investigation.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the court also set up a three-member supervisory committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the progress of the investigation.
A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria observed that the stampede on September 27 has deeply affected citizens across India.
The bench said,
“The September 27 stampede has left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country.”
The judges further stated that the incident carries serious implications for the right to life of citizens and emphasised the need to uphold the fundamental rights of the victims’ families.
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The court noted,
“It has wide ramifications with respect to the life of the citizens, and enforcing the fundamental rights of the families who lost their kith and kin is of utmost importance.”
Taking note of the political sensitivity surrounding the case, the court expressed concern over the conduct of senior police officials who commented publicly on the incident.
The bench remarked,
“Top police officers have made comments before the media without having regard for the gravity of the incident, which may create doubt in the minds of the citizenry regarding an impartial and fair investigation.”
Stressing the importance of restoring public trust in the justice system, the Supreme Court stated,
“The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored in the criminal justice system, and one way to instil such trust is by ensuring that the investigation in the present case is completely impartial, independent and unbiased.”
The court further highlighted that ensuring fairness in such sensitive cases is a constitutional obligation. The bench concluded,
“Looking to the fact that the issue involved certainly has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens, the incident, which has shaken the national conscience, deserves fair and impartial investigation. There cannot be any doubt that fair investigation is the right of a citizen.”
With the CBI now taking charge, the focus will be on uncovering the causes of the deadly stampede, identifying those responsible for lapses in crowd control and safety measures, and ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
The Supreme Court’s strong words underline that the Karur stampede is not just a tragic event, but also a serious test of accountability, governance, and the rule of law in India.
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