Chief Justice Shrivastava observed that while public safety is paramount, the government cannot indefinitely withhold permissions for political events.
Published Oct 27, 2025 | 4:57 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 27, 2025 | 4:57 PM
Chief Justice MM Shrivastava (inset) of the Madras High Court observed that while public safety is paramount, the government cannot indefinitely withhold permissions for political events. “Our intention is that a tragedy like the Karur crowd crush should never happen again,” he said.
Synopsis: Exactly a month after the Karur stampede that killed 41 people, including women and children, the Madras High Court upheld the right of political parties to hold rallies and roadshows, and asked the Tamil Nadu government to frame the necessary guidelines.
The Madras High Court on Monday, 27 October, directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame comprehensive guidelines within 10 days for granting permission to political rallies and roadshows, stressing that the absence of such norms cannot be used to curb the fundamental rights of political parties.
The order was issued by a Bench led by Chief Justice MM Shrivastava, during the hearing of petitions filed by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and others, who alleged discriminatory restrictions on their campaign events following the Karur stampede a month ago that claimed 41 lives.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Shrivastava observed that while public safety is paramount, the government cannot indefinitely withhold permissions for political events. “Our intention is that a tragedy like the Karur crowd crush should never happen again,” the chief justice said.
“But until the new rules are framed, denying permissions altogether would amount to depriving political parties of their basic rights,” he added.
The court questioned the state’s assurance that no permissions would be granted until new rules are finalised. “On what basis did you give such an assurance? Doesn’t this amount to restricting the basic rights of political parties?” the chief justice asked.
Additional Advocate General J Ravindran informed the Bench that the government had temporarily restricted roadshows on national and state highways, pending consultation with police, municipal, fire, and health departments to draft new safety norms.
He clarified that parties were still permitted to conduct public meetings in designated grounds.
The court, however, instructed that the government must not reject applications for meetings in approved locations, even while new guidelines are being drafted.
“If applications are left pending, it will lead to allegations against the administration,” the chief justice said, adding that authorities must decide on all pending and future requests promptly.
The Bench warned that it would be forced to issue its own directions if the government fails to complete the process within the stipulated period.
During the hearing, the AIADMK sought to be impleaded in the case, saying it possessed relevant information regarding the Karur incident. The high court allowed the party to be added as an intervenor.
Meanwhile, a petition for anticipatory bail filed by TVK General Secretary Bussy Anand was withdrawn, as the CBI has taken over the investigation. The plea was deemed unnecessary since the Karur police were listed as respondents in a case now handled by the central agency.
Separately, the court heard a petition filed by BJP Chennai Corporation councillor Uma Anand, who sought to transfer the Karur stampede case to the CBI.
The Bench dismissed the plea, noting that the Supreme Court has already ordered the transfer to the CBI, and therefore, “no further orders can be passed on this matter.”
