Supreme Court Dismisses DMK Petition Regarding Karur Stampede
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has dismissed a petition from the DMK that sought to restrict Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay from interacting with families affected by the Karur stampede. The court emphasized that it should not serve as a political arena and raised questions about the legitimacy of the petition, especially since it had previously ordered a CBI investigation into the incident. The court's decision highlights the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the case, which resulted in the tragic loss of 41 lives. As the political landscape continues to evolve, this ruling may have far-reaching implications for the involved parties.
| Jul 7, 2026, 13:23 IST
Supreme Court's Ruling on DMK's Petition
The Supreme Court rejected a petition from the DMK on Tuesday, which sought to prevent Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and other leaders of the TVK from engaging with the families of victims from the Karur stampede that occurred in September 2025. The bench, comprising Justices K.V. Vishwanathan and Alok Aradhe, emphasized that the Supreme Court should not be utilized as a "political platform." They raised concerns regarding the basis of the petition, noting that the court had previously ordered a CBI investigation into the matter.
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The bench questioned how the Supreme Court, which had initiated the CBI inquiry, could entertain a petition from a political rival. The former ruling party's petition called for action against TVK Minister Aadhav Arjun for his alleged remarks, claiming these comments could influence witnesses and obstruct the CBI investigation into the stampede, which resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals during a party event. The petition also requested that Vijay be barred from interacting with the victims' families during his planned visit to Karur on July 10, where he was set to distribute government benefits, including compassionate appointments and financial aid.
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According to directives from the court in October 2025, the CBI investigation is being overseen by a three-member supervisory committee led by former Supreme Court Justice Ajay Rastogi. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the DMK, argued that the case was not solely an executive matter, asserting that "he is also an accused." However, the defense attorney clarified that the Chief Minister's name does not appear as an accused in either of the FIRs. The court reiterated that the investigation should focus on the ministers, not the Chief Minister. Ultimately, the bench dismissed the petition entirely, warning the petitioners against pursuing the application further. They advised, "We recommend that you do not insist on this application; we will dismiss it, which could have serious consequences that you are not aware of." Following the court's remarks, the DMK sought permission to withdraw their application to pursue other legal remedies, which the Supreme Court accepted as a withdrawal and dismissed the case.