The Supreme Court is set to hear on October 10 a petition from Tamil actor Joseph Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which calls for an independent inquiry into the Karur stampede that resulted in 41 fatalities on September 27. The petition contests the Madras High Court’s October 3 ruling that assigned a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Inspector General of Police (North Zone) Asra Garg, to oversee the investigation. The TVK’s legal representative brought the issue before Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, requesting an expedited hearing.
The Supreme Court will address this petition in conjunction with another one submitted by the father of a victim, who has challenged the High Court’s decision not to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Previously, the High Court criticized Vijay, the event organizers, and party members for their immediate departure from the scene after the incident. It pointed out that the political party did not aid victims amid the turmoil, which notably involved many women and children. Additionally, the court highlighted the lack of any public apology or acknowledgment of the tragedy from TVK, viewing it as indicative of the party’s failure to take responsibility and its disregard for human life.
This single-judge order followed a previous decision by a Division Bench of the Madurai Bench, which had dismissed a request for a CBI investigation into the stampede.
