Karur stampede: Madras HC rejects pleas seeking CBI probe, says 'petitioner not affected party'

Karur Stampede

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.

Meanwhile, the State government also informed the high court that until SOPs are framed for holding of public meetings by political parties, no permissions will be given to any political party to hold such meetings, according to a report by Live Law.

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.

Karur stampede

The Karur stampede, that took place on September 27 during a public rally of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay, 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.