Supreme Court to Rule on Independent Probe Into Karur Stampede That Killed 41

The Supreme Court is set to announce its decision on October 13 regarding multiple petitions that seek an independent investigation into the Karur stampede tragedy, which claimed 41 lives.

A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria will deliver the verdict on these petitions.

During Friday's proceedings, while reserving its orders, the top court questioned the Madras High Court's decision to form a special investigation team (SIT) for the stampede probe. Justice Maheshwari expressed confusion about the high court's approach, noting: "We are unable to understand how this order was passed? How did the single bench in the Chennai Bench proceed with the matter when the division bench in Madurai was considering the matter? In my experience of over 15 years as a judge, a single bench holds back if the division bench has taken cognisance."

Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, representing Tamil actor Vijay's political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), argued that the petition filed before the high court was merely intended to establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) for political rallies. He pointed out that the SIT was constituted by the high court on the very first day, and the court made negative remarks against the party and Vijay without giving them an opportunity to be heard.

Senior advocate C A Sundaram, also appearing for TVK, submitted that while the chief justice of the high court can authorize a special bench to hear such matters, this procedure wasn't followed in the current case.

Both lawyers informed the Supreme Court that the high court's observations claiming that TVK and Vijay abandoned the venue and showed no remorse were incorrect. They clarified that police had actually compelled the actor to leave the location, arguing that his presence might worsen the situation.

The Tamil Nadu government defended the high court's actions, stating that the SIT was formed by the court itself without the state's input. They maintained that the officers appointed to the probe panel were known for their integrity and independence, giving no reason to doubt their capabilities.

Previously, a CJI-headed bench agreed to hear BJP leader Uma Anandan's petition challenging the high court's refusal to order a CBI investigation into the September 27 stampede. Another BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, G S Mani, has also filed a similar petition.

TVK has requested an independent investigation under Supreme Court supervision, arguing that a fair and impartial probe would be impossible if conducted solely by Tamil Nadu Police officers. The party has objected to the high court's decision to constitute an SIT comprised only of Tamil Nadu Police officers and alleged the possibility of a pre-planned conspiracy behind the stampede.

The party has also taken exception to the high court's harsh criticism that they abandoned the venue after the incident and showed no remorse.

Earlier reports from police indicated that the rally attracted 27,000 attendees, nearly triple the expected 10,000 participants. Authorities attributed the tragedy to a seven-hour delay by Vijay in arriving at the venue.