The Supreme Court agreed to hear an application alleging Tamil Nadu ministers accused in the Karur stampede case are influencing witnesses during the CBI investigation. The Bench listed the matter for July 8 after being informed of fresh developments requiring judicial intervention in the ongoing probe.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a fresh application alleging that certain Tamil Nadu ministers, who are among the accused in the Karur stampede case, are attempting to influence witnesses during the ongoing investigation ordered by the Court.
A partial working-day Bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu agreed to list the matter for hearing on July 8, after senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi mentioned the application before the Court and sought urgent consideration.
During the brief mentioning, Ahmadi informed the Bench that the Supreme Court had earlier entrusted the investigation into the stampede to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and that fresh developments required the Court’s intervention.
Drawing the Court’s attention to the application, he submitted:
“This court directed a CBI probe. Now some accused who are now ministers in the present regime are attempting to actively influence the witnesses. We have filed an application”.
Taking note of the submission, the Bench agreed to hear the matter the following day, observing: “We will have it tomorrow”.
The application seeks appropriate directions from the Supreme Court in light of the allegations that key witnesses in the case are allegedly being influenced during the pendency of the CBI investigation.
The fresh application arises in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s significant order passed on October 13 last year, when it transferred the investigation into the Karur stampede to the CBI, holding that the incident warranted an independent and impartial probe.
While directing the central agency to investigate the tragedy, the Court observed that the stampede, which claimed the lives of 41 people, had “shaken the national conscience” and required a fair investigation free from any apprehension of bias.
The apex court had passed the order while deciding a petition filed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which had sought an independent investigation into the incident.
To ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation, the Supreme Court had also constituted a three-member supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to oversee the progress of the CBI probe.
ALSO READ: Karur Stampede: Supreme Court Refuses to Modify Its Order Suspending Enquiry Commission
The Court simultaneously stayed the operation of the State government’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) as well as a one-man commission of inquiry, holding that the investigation should remain under the supervision of the central agency.
The Tamil Nadu government was directed to extend complete cooperation to the CBI by providing all necessary assistance, documents and logistical support required for conducting the investigation.
The Karur stampede occurred during a public event in Tamil Nadu last year, resulting in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to several others. The incident triggered widespread public outrage and raised serious questions regarding crowd management, administrative preparedness and the role of public authorities in ensuring safety at large gatherings.
Given the gravity of the tragedy and allegations surrounding the circumstances leading to the incident, the matter reached the Supreme Court, which eventually concluded that an independent investigation by the CBI would be necessary to inspire public confidence.
With allegations now surfacing that some of the accused who presently hold ministerial positions in the State government—are attempting to influence witnesses, the Supreme Court is set to examine whether any further directions are required to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE