The Karur rally stampede that claimed 41 lives has sparked a legal and political storm. TVK challenges the Madras High Court order in the Supreme Court, as calls for a CBI probe grow alongside the ongoing SIT investigation.
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NEW DELHI: The political and legal aftermath of the Karur stampede continues to unfold, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) now challenging the Madras High Court’s October 3 order in the Supreme Court. The incident, which claimed 41 lives during a TVK rally on September 27, has sparked widespread debate over accountability, safety protocols, and the pace of the investigation.
The Incident
The stampede occurred as crowds gathered to see actor-turned-politician and TVK founder Vijay during a political rally in Karur. Amid the chaos, multiple accidents reportedly occurred, including collisions involving Vijay’s campaign vehicle. While Vijay himself was not named in any FIR, the event led to significant scrutiny of the party’s handling of the rally and its aftermath.
High Court Intervention
On October 3, Justice N Senthilkumar of the Madras High Court issued a scathing order criticizing the TVK leadership and directing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The judge remarked that the State’s investigation had “not been up to mark” and highlighted the absence of any criminal cases related to two alleged accidents involving Vijay’s bus during the stampede. Following this order, a criminal case was reportedly filed against the driver of Vijay’s campaign vehicle.
Justice Senthilkumar emphasized the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional responsibilities, stating,
“This Court cannot close its eyes, remain a mute spectator, and shrink from its constitutional responsibilities.”
TVK Challenges the Order
In response, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the single-judge order. The plea, filed by Advocate Yash S Vijay, questions the High Court’s criticism of the party and the directive for an SIT probe.
CBI Investigation Demands
The controversy over the investigation intensified after a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, sitting at Madurai, refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The Bench observed that the State’s investigation was still in its nascent stages and that none of the petitioners were directly affected by the stampede.
Nevertheless, the call for a CBI investigation persists. A stampede victim’s father has filed a plea in the Supreme Court requesting a transfer of the probe to the CBI, with the matter likely to be heard on October 10. Additionally, Advocate GS Mani has also moved the Supreme Court seeking a CBI investigation, following the High Court’s earlier dismissal of similar petitions.
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