SC to Hear Vijay’s TVK Plea Against SIT Probe in Karur Stampede

Supreme Court to Hear Vijay’s TVK Plea Against SIT Probe in Karur Stampede That Killed 41

Actor-politician’s party says Madras High Court’s SIT order is prejudicial and seeks independent probe

Court to examine if state police can fairly investigate tragedy amid allegations of lapses and conspiracy

By Our Legal Reporter

New Delhi: October 09, 2025: The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a petition filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, challenging the Madras High Court’s order that constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Karur stampede. The tragic incident, which occurred on September 27, 2025, during a TVK rally, claimed 41 lives and left more than 100 injured.

The party has argued that the SIT, comprising senior officers of the Tamil Nadu Police, cannot conduct a fair and impartial investigation, especially since the High Court itself had earlier expressed doubts about the independence of the state police.

Background of the Tragedy

The stampede took place at Veluswamypuram in Karur district, where thousands of supporters had gathered to hear Vijay speak at a political rally.

Permission had reportedly been granted for around 10,000 attendees, but the crowd swelled to 25,000–60,000 people, far exceeding expectations.
Many supporters had arrived hours early, waiting in scorching heat without adequate water or facilities.
Chaos broke out when the crowd surged forward, leading to a deadly stampede.

Police report also noted that Vijay’s seven-hour delay in reaching the venue contributed to restlessness among the crowd.

High Court’s Order and Observations

On October 3, 2025, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered the formation of an SIT headed by senior IPS officer Asra Garg to investigate the tragedy.

The High Court made strong observations against Vijay and TVK:

It said the party leaders had “fled from the scene” after the tragedy.
It criticized the party for showing “no remorse” or responsibility.
It described the stampede as a “huge man-made disaster” caused by poor planning and negligence.

The court also pointed to evidence such as video footage showing lapses in crowd management and controversial social media posts by TVK leaders.

TVK’s Petition in the Supreme Court

TVK, through its secretary Aadhav Arjuna, filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the SIT probe.

The party’s main arguments are:

Prejudicial SIT: The SIT is composed entirely of Tamil Nadu police officers, despite the High Court itself questioning the independence of the state police.
Bias from Court Observations: The High Court’s harsh remarks against Vijay and TVK have already prejudiced the investigation.
Possibility of Conspiracy: TVK alleged that a pre-planned conspiracy by miscreants to disrupt the rally cannot be ruled out.
Request for Independent Probe: The party has sought an investigation under the supervision of a former Supreme Court judge or an independent agency like the CBI.

Other Petitions and Parallel Demands

The Supreme Court is also hearing a plea filed by BJP leader Uma Anandan, who has demanded a CBI probe into the tragedy.

The BJP petition argues that the state authorities themselves were responsible for lapses and therefore cannot be trusted to investigate.
Another petition by advocate G.S. Mani has also sought transfer of the probe to the CBI, citing conflict of interest.

Thus, the Supreme Court is now faced with multiple petitions questioning the fairness of the SIT and demanding an independent investigation.

Enforcement and Political Fallout

The tragedy has sparked a political storm in Tamil Nadu:

Opposition parties have accused TVK of negligence and poor planning.
TVK leaders, however, maintain that they had obtained proper permissions and that the tragedy was partly due to sabotage by rivals.
Vijay has personally reached out to the families of the victims via video calls, assuring them of support and promising to meet them in person. Reports suggest that many families told him they did not blame him for the tragedy.

The incident has also raised questions about crowd management at political rallies, especially as Vijay’s entry into politics has drawn massive crowds across Tamil Nadu.

Supreme Court’s Role

A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran has agreed to hear TVK’s plea. The Court has:

Directed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Tamil Nadu government to submit their responses.
Indicated that it will examine whether the SIT can inspire public confidence.
Scheduled the matter for further hearing on October 10, 2025.

The Court’s decision could determine whether the probe remains with the SIT or is handed over to an independent body like the CBI.

Broader Implications

The case has wider implications beyond the Karur tragedy:

Judicial Oversight of Political Events
- The Court’s intervention highlights the judiciary’s role in ensuring accountability in mass political gatherings.
Public Confidence in Investigations
- The outcome will set a precedent for whether state police-led SITs can be trusted in politically sensitive cases.
Impact on Vijay’s Political Career
- As a newly launched political leader, Vijay’s handling of the tragedy and the legal battle could shape public perception of his leadership.
Regulation of Political Rallies
- The tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter rules on crowd management, permissions, and safety measures at rallies.

Expert Reactions

Legal Experts: Many lawyers believe the Supreme Court may lean towards an independent probe to ensure fairness and public trust.
Political Analysts: Observers say the case could either damage or strengthen Vijay’s political image, depending on how he responds.
Civil Society Groups: Activists have called for better safety protocols at rallies, noting that ordinary citizens should not pay with their lives for political events.

Conclusion

The Karur stampede tragedy has become both a legal and political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu. With 41 lives lost and over 100 injured, the demand for accountability is strong.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear TVK’s plea against the SIT probe, the case will test not only the fairness of investigations but also the credibility of political leadership and governance in handling mass gatherings.

The Court’s ruling could reshape the way political rallies are organized and investigated in India, making this case a landmark in the intersection of law, politics, and public safety.

SC to Hear Vijay’s TVK Plea Against SIT Probe in Karur Stampede

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