The court issued a notice and sought a response from the state government on the plea seeking additional compensation for the victims affected in the Karur stampede.
Published Oct 03, 2025 | 1:54 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 03, 2025 | 1:54 PM
Madras High Court. (Wikimedia)
Synopsis: The Madras High Court heard a batch of petitions regarding the stampede during a rally organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Karur, which claimed 41 lives and injured several others. It directed political parties to ensure proper drinking water facilities, toilets, and parking facilities, including ambulances.
The Madras High Court on Friday, 3 October, heard a batch of petitions regarding the stampede during a rally organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay on behalf of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur of Tamil Nadu, which claimed 41 lives and injured several others.
While the court dismissed the petitions, it directed political parties to ensure proper drinking water facilities, toilets, and parking facilities, including ambulances.
The case came up for hearing before Justices M Dhandapani and Jothiram J. During the proceedings, the government side, represented by a senior DIG, stated that the inquiry into the incident was still underway, and hence the court should avoid delving into the factual details at this stage.
He added that the mishap occurred mainly due to inadequate safety measures. Guidelines for conducting public meetings already exist, but the government plans to constitute a special committee soon to frame specific rules for such events.
To prevent such incidents in the future, the court stressed the need for strict crowd management protocols, especially in politically linked gatherings.
The court also dismissed two petitions, including one filed by Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi, seeking a CBI probe into the stampede, saying that the petitioners were not affected parties.
The court disposed of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking framing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), noting that the principal bench has already asked the State Government to frame SOPs. The court also gave the petitioners liberty to file an impleading petition in that plea
Meanwhile, Additional Advocate General (AAG) J Ravindran informed the court that the state government will not grant permissions to any party for public meetings till the framing of SOPs.
The court recorded the submission and said, “This will not affect public gatherings by parties in designated places.”
Meanwhile, it issued a notice and sought a response from the state government on the plea seeking additional compensation for the victims affected in the stampede.
Taking up the pleas seeking a CBI probe, it said that the petitioner is not affected by the tragedy and questions the need to transfer the investigation at the initial stage. The court dismissed the plea by Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi, saying that the petitioner is only a politician and not an affected party.
The bench further noted that the investigation is in a nascent stage.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
