Madras HC Dismisses Plea Seeking CBI Probe Into Karur Stampede: ‘Petitioner Not Affected Party’ – Delhi News Daily

Footwear and other belongings of people lie on a road in the aftermath of stampede during a rally of actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, in Karur district, Tamil Nadu. (IMAGE: PTI/REPRESENTATIVE)

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday refused to order a CBI probe into the Karur stampede case, saying the investigation by Karur police was still in its initial stage. The court was hearing a PIL filed by the Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi and also took up a petition filed by one of the victims.

The Bench said the PIL by the political party could not be entertained as it was not an aggrieved party. In the case of the victim’s petition, the Bench directed him to approach the principal bench in Chennai, which is already handling matters related to drafting a standard operating procedure (SOP) for political rallies.

During the hearing, the court also issued instructions to political parties, asking them to provide proper drinking water, sanitation facilities and sufficient parking at future rallies. “Think about the people who lost their lives,” the Bench observed.

The state told the court that until the SOPs are finalised, no permissions will be granted for large-scale rallies.

The September 27 stampede during a public rally of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay in Karur killed at least 41 people and injured over 100. Several attendees fainted as panic spread through the overcrowded venue.

Following the tragedy, Vijay suspended all political rallies for two weeks and his party announced Rs 20 lakh in relief for families of the deceased. Congress said it had extended a cumulative Rs 1.25 crore to affected families, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the kin of victims and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Separately, the Bench dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by TVK Namakkal district secretary Satish Kumar. The judge questioned why the party had failed to control the crowd during the rally and raised concerns over the behaviour of cadres, including reports of public property being damaged.

The court also issued notice on a plea seeking additional compensation for victims of the Karur stampede and asked the Tamil Nadu government to file its response.