The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court seeking to withdraw its order for a CBI probe into the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, urging continuation of the state-appointed SIT investigation amid escalating political tensions.
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NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court of India, requesting the vacation of its October 13 order directing a CBI investigation into the Karur stampede. The October order had noted that the incident impacted the fundamental rights of citizens, prompting a probe by the federal agency.
The Tamil Nadu government has also requested the continuation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, currently headed by retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, which was constituted by the state government to investigate the tragedy.
Earlier in October, the Supreme Court had set up a three-member monitoring committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to oversee the investigation. The Bench, comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria, had issued the order while hearing petitions seeking an independent probe into the incident.
The Court emphasized that the committee, in addition to Justice Rastogi, would include two IPS officers from the Tamil Nadu cadre, ensuring neither is native to the state. The committee has the authority to “monitor the investigation of the CBI and may undertake an enquiry into any matter incidental to the stampede,” while devising its own procedure under judicial directions.
The CBI has been directed to submit monthly progress reports to the committee, and parties can approach the Supreme Court if any issues arise during the investigation.
The petition filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor and party chief Vijay, had urged the Supreme Court to order an independent investigation supervised by a former Apex Court judge. The plea, filed following the September 27 Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives and injured many, also challenged the Madras High Court’s October 3 order, which formed an SIT led by senior police officers.
TVK argued that the state police may not act independently, noting that the High Court had itself questioned their impartiality. The party alleged that the tragedy could have been a pre-planned conspiracy aimed at disrupting the rally. TVK also refuted the High Court’s remarks blaming its leaders for fleeing the scene and not assisting victims, stating that party members had actively provided medical aid and coordinated assistance to those affected.
In its earlier order, the Madras High Court had also banned political rallies, roadshows, and similar public events on highways until proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are established. The court criticized both TVK workers and the State government for their handling of the Karur rally.
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