Karur Stampede| Supreme Court asks victim's family to approach CBI with allegations of political pressure

The Supreme Court today asked a Karur stampede victims' family to approach the CBI with the allegations of political pressure being used to coerce families to withdraw their petitions from the court.

Reportedly, the bench of Justice JK Maheshwari issued the direction after one S Prabhakaran, who lost both his sister and fiancée in the stampede, made an urgent oral mentioning through advocate Balaji Srinivasan. The bench told the petitioner that the investigation into the incident had already been transferred to the CBI.

Supreme Court earlier this month had ordered a CBI investigation into the Karur stampede, observing that the incident had a direct bearing on the fundamental rights of citizens. Court also constituted a three-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to oversee the investigation.

A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria had pronounced the order while hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by actor Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which sought an independent probe monitored by a retired apex court judge. Other petitioners had sought a CBI probe into the tragedy.

In its order, the Bench said, “Looking at the facts, the issue has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens. The directions are to hand over the investigation to the CBI.” To ensure transparency and allay concerns of all parties, the Court directed that the monitoring committee, apart from Justice Rastogi, would include two IPS officers from the Tamil Nadu cadre, neither of whom should be native to the state.

CBI has been directed to submit monthly progress reports on the investigation to the committee. The Court further clarified that if any issue arises during the course of the probe, liberty is granted to the parties to approach the Supreme Court.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor and party chief Vijay, had approached the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe under the supervision of a former Apex Court judge into the September 27 stampede at its rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district, which claimed 41 lives and injured several others.

TVK challenged the Madras High Court’s October 3 order forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Inspector General of Police. The petition argues that the High Court itself questioned the independence of the state police but nevertheless directed a probe by senior police officers from the same force. “The petitioner-party and its leaders are prejudiced by the order which appoints an SIT composed solely of officers of the State Police, especially in view of the High Court’s own dissatisfaction with their independence,” the plea stated.

The party further contended that the tragedy may have resulted from a pre-planned conspiracy by miscreants aiming to disrupt the rally and that a probe led by a retired Supreme Court judge is necessary to ensure impartiality. The party has also objected to the High Court’s strong remarks holding TVK leaders responsible for “fleeing from the scene” and not assisting victims, calling them “factually incorrect and contrary to record.” The plea asserts that TVK members, upon learning of people fainting, immediately took coordinated steps to provide medical aid and assistance.

Notably, Madras High Court, while forming the SIT, had also banned political rallies, roadshows, and similar public events along highways until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are framed. It had criticised TVK workers and the State government for their handling of the event.

Hearing Date: October 30, 2025

Bench: Justice JK Maheshwari led bench