A BJP leader from Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court, seeking a CBI investigation into the September 27 Karur stampede at a TVK rally that killed 41 and injured over 60. The plea also requests higher compensation from the state and TVK leadership.
NEW DELHI: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic stampede that occurred on September 27 in Karur during a political rally led by actor and Thalapathy Vijay’s party, the Tamil Nadu Vetrivel Katchi (TVK). The incident resulted in the death of 41 people and left more than 60 others injured.
The plea, filed by G S Mani, a practising advocate in the Supreme Court and vice-president of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu state legal cell, also seeks to halt the ongoing investigation by the Tamil Nadu Police into the Karur stampede.
The Supreme Court has already scheduled hearings for related petitions on October 10.
Through Advocate-on-Record R Sathish, Mani has requested the apex court to transfer the probe from the Tamil Nadu Police to either the CBI or an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge.
In the plea, Mani stated:
“The petitioner who is a public-spirited citizen and also a regular practising advocate of this court … has filed this SLP against the impugned common final judgment … dated October 3 … in a batch of writ petitions including … filed by him, seeking transfer of investigation from the respondent state’s local police to the CBI and payment of adequate compensation in relation to a stampede incident at a political meeting in Karur District, Tamil Nadu.”
The plea mentions that the Madras High Court had earlier rejected the request for a central investigation, observing that
“sweeping allegations, without tangible material, cannot justify transferring the investigation to a central agency.”
The high court also declined to increase compensation, noting that the Tamil Nadu government had already announced Rs 10 lakh for each victim’s family, while the political party had pledged Rs 20 lakh per family.
Mani’s petition, however, highlighted that
“the incident is not only a case of criminal negligence but also a gross violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.”
The plea further argued that
“a free, fair and impartial investigation is part of the fundamental right to life and liberty not only of the victims but also of every citizen.”
It stressed that
“where the state machinery itself is under suspicion, investigation must be entrusted to an independent agency like the CBI, or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a retired/sitting judge of the Supreme Court.”
Mani has also urged the court to direct the state government and the TVK leadership to provide higher compensation to the victims. He has demanded that the government pay Rs 50 lakh for each deceased, while the actor and his party should provide Rs 1 crore per victim.
So far, the state government has announced Rs 10 lakh per deceased, while Vijay has contributed Rs 20 lakh per victim from his personal funds.
On October 3, the Madras High Court had formed an SIT to investigate the Karur stampede. The principal bench of the high court also dismissed a plea by another BJP leader seeking a CBI investigation, instructing her to approach the Madurai bench instead.
The SIT has been constituted under senior IPS officer Asra Garg, Inspector General of Police, North Zone.
The high court also criticised the organisers of the rally, the TVK leadership, and the local police for negligence that contributed to the tragedy. The stampede claimed the lives of multiple women and children.
Police reports stated that the rally had a massive turnout of approximately 27,000 people, nearly three times the expected 10,000.
Authorities further noted that a seven-hour delay on Vijay’s part in reaching the venue contributed to the overcrowding and subsequent stampede.
This Supreme Court plea now seeks not only an independent investigation but also higher compensation, reflecting public concern over accountability, safety at mass gatherings, and victims’ rights.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Karur Stampede
