The Supreme Court has ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the deadly stampede during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on September 27, which left 41 people dead and many injured. A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria directed the formation of a three-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi to oversee the CBI investigation, ensuring fairness and impartiality.
The tragedy occurred after enormous crowds waited for hours in oppressive conditions for Vijay, whose delayed arrival led to crowd surges around 7:45 pm, causing a series of crushes near stage barricades and service vans. The lack of buffer zones, coordination, and security exacerbated the chaos, with ambulances struggling to reach victims and attendees reporting severe dehydration and suffocation. The stampede was reportedly triggered by supporters trying to get closer to Vijay’s campaign vehicle when access was restricted.
The bench’s order follows petitions from BJP leaders and TVK members requesting an independent probe, amid concerns about impartiality if state police alone investigated the incident. This CBI investigation replaces a previous special investigation team formed by the Madras High Court and reflects the Supreme Court’s determination to address demands for transparent accountability and justice in the wake of one of Tamil Nadu’s worst political tragedies.
Authorities have already arrested several TVK leaders on charges of negligence and violation of police orders, while both government and opposition figures have called for swift reforms in event management. Families of the deceased and injured have received compensation, and the Karur tragedy has intensified calls for improved crowd control and enforcement of safety protocols at mass gatherings.
