Tamil Nadu Government Seeks Supreme Court to Reconsider CBI Inquiry into Karur Stampede

Tamil Nadu's Appeal to the Supreme Court

The government of Tamil Nadu has requested the Supreme Court to reconsider its interim ruling that mandated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the tragic stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally in Karur district, which resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals.

In a formal affidavit, the state contended that the Supreme Court's order effectively granted the petitioners their ultimate relief prematurely by transferring the investigation from the state police to an external supervisory committee.

The Supreme Court had ordered the CBI investigation on October 13 after reviewing several petitions, including one from Aadhav Arjuna, the general secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

The party expressed concerns regarding the High Court's decision to establish a Special Investigation Team composed solely of Tamil Nadu Police officers.

Tamil Nadu's government argued that the October ruling, which also suspended the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission and formed a three-member supervisory panel led by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi, effectively allowed the writ petition despite pending questions about its maintainability.

According to reports, the state asserted that there was no prima facie evidence indicating that the investigation by the State Police was flawed, biased, or motivated by ill intent.

The state further claimed that the petitioners relied heavily on media speculation, conjecture, and political accusations without demonstrating any procedural failings by the Karur police.

In response to the Supreme Court's concerns regarding public statements made by senior police officials exonerating the administration, the state clarified that such communications are necessary during significant disasters and should not be interpreted as evidence of bias.

Tamil Nadu also raised objections to the requirement that the supervisory committee include two Indian Police Service officers from outside the state, arguing that this stipulation discriminates based on birthplace.

In its affidavit, the state government attributed the stampede to a series of "reckless, negligent, and uncoordinated actions" by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's organizers and supporters.

The stampede occurred on September 27 at Veluchamy Puram in Karur while party leader Vijay was addressing his supporters from a campaign vehicle.

Initial reports indicated that while permission was granted for 10,000 attendees, over 25,000 people were present at the venue. Television channels had reported that Vijay would arrive by noon, but he reached the district at 4:45 PM.

Among the deceased were 18 women and nine children.