Madras High Court to Hear Petition to Include Actor Vijay as Accused in Fatal Karur Stampede Case

New Delhi:

The Madras High Court is scheduled to hear a petition on Friday that seeks to modify the police case regarding the Karur stampede incident to include actor and Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay as an accused.

The petition also requests inclusion of more serious charges, including death by negligence, endangering life, and additional charges under the Juvenile Justice and Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) acts. It alleges that milder charges were applied and Vijay's name was deliberately omitted to help him avoid accountability.

Last month, forty-one individuals died in a stampede in Tamil Nadu's Karur district. According to state government and police reports, the tragedy occurred after Vijay arrived several hours late. However, the TVK maintains that poor event management was responsible and has suggested there is a 'vendetta' against them.

The petition, filed by advocate C Selvakumar initially before the Madurai bench but now listed with Chief Justice MM Shrivastava's bench in Chennai, contends that Vijay and the TVK were actually at fault, citing severe negligence and legal violations during the rally.

It alleges that the organizers illegally gathered thousands of people, including minors and pregnant women, thereby violating citizens' constitutional right to life under Article 21.

Citing Supreme Court precedents, the petition argues that those responsible, including political leadership, should be liable for compensation.

It also requests the Election Commission to consider withdrawing recognition from the TVK – a significant move ahead of next year's Assembly election – and asks police to withhold permissions for rallies or roadshows until the case reaches resolution.

Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI investigation to be monitored by a retired judge. An investigative team has already arrived in Karur and is expected to assume control of the case today.

To date, two TVK officials have been arrested and face charges including attempt to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and endangering public safety.