On Monday, the Supreme Court mandated the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct an investigation into the devastating Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu, which resulted in the deaths of at least 40 individuals during a rally hosted by actor and politician Vijay on September 27. A bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria emphasized the necessity for a fair and impartial inquiry into the incident that has profoundly affected the nation’s conscience. The court established a three-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi, to supervise the investigation. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay’s political party, appealed to the Supreme Court, contesting the Madras High Court’s order for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
During the hearing on Friday, the Supreme Court scrutinized the High Court’s ruling, highlighting procedural discrepancies concerning the transfer of the case between benches. Justice Maheshwari noted that a single bench should not have proceeded while the matter was under review by a division bench. The Tamil Nadu government, which defended the SIT, claimed that its members were selected based on their integrity and independence, asserting that there was no cause to question the team’s impartiality. The stampede occurred when approximately 25,000 attendees gathered for a rally intended for only 10,000 individuals, resulting in chaos and tragic fatalities.
Authorities discovered that the organizers had not adhered to safety and logistical requirements, including the provision of sufficient drinking water and crowd control measures. An FIR was lodged against TVK leaders Madhiazhagan, Bussy Anand, and CTR Nirmal Kumar under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide and endangering lives. The Supreme Court’s directive seeks to ensure accountability and justice for the victims through an independent and transparent investigation.
