**Madras High Court Orders SIT Probe Into Karur Stampede at Vijay’s TVK Rally**
Chennai: Days after a tragic stampede at actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur claimed 41 lives, the Madras High Court (principal seat in Chennai) on Friday ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The SIT will be headed by Inspector General of Police Asr Garg.
The court strongly condemned the TVK leaders for “abandoning” the innocent people who had gathered to watch Vijay but tragically lost their lives. In addition, the court directed the police to take action against the party’s office bearer, Aadhav Arjuna, for deleting a social media post that called for a Nepal-like Gen Z revolt.
In a related development, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declined to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, noting that the police investigation was still at a nascent stage. However, the bench instructed the State government not to grant permission for political rallies on highways until a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is established.
Separately, the court dismissed anticipatory bail petitions filed by TVK party general secretary ‘Bussy’ Anand and another office bearer, CTR Nirmal Kumar, both named in the FIR related to the stampede.
Justice N Senthilkumar, presiding over the main case in Chennai, directed the Karur police to hand over all documents related to the FIR to the SIT. The judge expressed concern that the State appeared lenient towards the accused, highlighting that several party leaders fled the scene after many women and children died.
Regretting the lack of remorse from the party leadership, Justice Senthilkumar commented that this attitude reflected their “mental state.” He added, “The court, however, cannot close its eyes. The court cannot be a mute spectator. The court cannot shirk its responsibilities. The entire world has witnessed the sequences as well as consequences of the event.”
Describing the tragedy as a man-made disaster, the judge noted that even the President and Prime Minister had expressed condolences and extended support to the victims and their families.
The judge also took note of a petition mentioning that Vijay was named in the FIR. Citing video footage showing two-wheeler riders getting injured after falling near Vijay’s caravan, Justice Senthilkumar questioned why no hit-and-run case had been registered. He urged the police to suo motu file an FIR based on the available video evidence to ensure a thorough investigation.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/madras-high-court-orders-sit-probe-into-vijays-tvk-rally-stampede
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