The Supreme Court of India has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic stampede that occurred during a rally organized by actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in Karur. The stampede, which took place on September 27, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals, causing widespread public outrage and concern about the safety measures at political gatherings. The Court emphasized the seriousness of the incident and the need for an impartial investigation to ensure that accountability is established and justice is delivered to the victims and their families.
The bench, comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria, issued an interim order on October 13, 2025, underscoring that the gravity of the incident touches upon the fundamental rights of citizens. Recognizing the national significance of the tragedy, the Court stressed that a fair and transparent inquiry is necessary to maintain public confidence in the legal and administrative process. To achieve this, the Supreme Court constituted a three-member Supervisory Committee led by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, tasked with overseeing the CBI’s investigation. The Committee has the authority to issue directions to the CBI, review the evidence collected, and ensure that the investigation proceeds efficiently and impartially.
To further strengthen the supervisory framework, Justice Rastogi is empowered to select two senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, not below the rank of Inspector General of Police, who may be from the Tamil Nadu cadre but should not be natives of the state. This measure is intended to prevent potential conflicts of interest and maintain the credibility of the investigation. Additionally, the CBI is required to submit monthly progress reports to the Supervisory Committee, ensuring continuous oversight and transparency throughout the investigative process.
The Supreme Court also criticized the Madras High Court, Chennai Bench, for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Tamil Nadu Police officers in response to a petition that originally sought the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for political rallies. The Court noted that the petition was unrelated to any criminal investigation and questioned how it was registered as a criminal writ petition. The Registrar General of the Madras High Court was directed to provide an explanation regarding this procedural anomaly. The Supreme Court further observed that the Chennai Bench lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as the events in question fell within the territorial jurisdiction of the Madurai Bench. The Chief Justice of the Madras High Court was directed to reassign the petition to the appropriate bench to ensure proper adjudication.
Through these directions, the Supreme Court has taken decisive steps to ensure accountability in the aftermath of the Karur stampede. The CBI’s investigation, under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge and senior IPS officers, is expected to be comprehensive and impartial, addressing lapses in crowd management, safety protocols, and responsibility of the organizers. The Court’s intervention seeks to restore public confidence, uphold the rule of law, and provide justice to the victims and their families, emphasizing the importance of safety and accountability in public events.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.