entertainment 33 - The Latremie Post

Exclusive: The Story Behind The Ba***ds Of Bollywood’s DJ Adam Aka Neville Bharucha, A Comedian And Improv Trainer

**Neville Bharucha Makes His Netflix Debut in *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* as DJ Adam**

Neville Bharucha, a renowned comedian and improv trainer, recently made his Netflix debut in *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*, playing the very lovable music composer DJ Adam. In the series, his character partners with Manoj Pahwa’s Avtar Singh, and together they not only create a viral track but also bring their own dose of humour and drama to the show.

In an exclusive interaction with *The Free Press Journal*, Neville shares insights about landing the role, working with Aryan Khan, his journey as a comedian and improv trainer, and much more.

—

### How Did You Get Cast in *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*?

“I usually get calls for auditions for TVCs. I don’t often do movies or web series because they require a longer commitment, and since I teach improv and work with kids, it becomes difficult to juggle. So when I got a call to audition for this web series, I was initially hesitant. I said no because I wasn’t sure I’d have the time—plus, I was a school teacher at the time. But people encouraged me to try, and on the night I was flying off to Singapore, my wife said, ‘Just go for the audition, see what it’s like.’

The gentleman conducting the audition was absolutely wonderful; he gave me great pointers. I remember walking out of there feeling really confident. After that, I called my wife and said, ‘I think I’ll get this,’ and sure enough, a month later, they called to say I had snagged the role of DJ Adam.”

—

### Tell Us About the Work Ethic of Aryan Khan

“Aryan Khan is probably one of the most sincere and hardworking people I’ve ever met. From the beginning right through the end, his enthusiasm never waned. I vividly remember the first narration of the opening scene — he narrated it with such excitement and energy that I immediately knew this was something special.

He’s a force to reckon with, with a wonderful vision, and he puts in all the effort in the world to bring that vision to life. He’s also a patient listener who genuinely values your input and ideas. Working with him is inspiring because he’s driven, excited, and by far, the most fun person to be around on set.”

—

### Any Other Thoughts About Working with the Cast?

“The cast is a powerhouse of talent. Each member brings immense skill and experience to the project. Personally, my scenes with Manoj Sir were some of the most fun I’ve had on set. He is effortlessly funny—there’s not a single dialogue he can’t pull off. Many times, the whole crew would just applaud his performance. Sharing screen space with a veteran like him was honestly incredible.

The entire cast is warm, friendly, and always excited to see each other, which definitely shines through on screen. I’m truly grateful to be part of such a wonderful ensemble.”

—

### What Made You Switch from Digital Marketing to Improv Training?

“I used to work in digital marketing, and I enjoyed it. But there wasn’t a clear moment when I said, ‘I want to leave marketing for improv.’ I wanted to explore a lot — stand-up, hosting events, and more.

What made me become an improv trainer was my love for teaching. I’ve always felt I was a good teacher. In 2018, I went abroad to study improv at esteemed institutions like UCB and The Second City. When I came back, I thought, ‘Now I’ve got all this knowledge, what next?’ I began taking a few classes, which did well, but they lacked structure.

Slowly, over the years, it grew bigger. Even during the pandemic, I was teaching online classes five days a week with people joining from all over the world. At that point, I realized this improv thing was really happening. Now, we have new batches every month at The Habitat in Khar, with 10 to 15 people joining regularly. It’s amazing to be part of a movement that wasn’t nearly as popular five or seven years ago.”

—

### How Easy or Difficult Has It Been to Sustain Yourself as an Improv Trainer, Creative Writing Teacher, and Comedian?

“Over time, I’ve become good at what I do, which makes it easier. I always want to improve and be the best. I don’t seek validation but strive for personal perfection, aiming for people to say, ‘That was a great class’ or ‘That was really funny.’ I want a good reputation.

The challenge is that when you work independently, teaching and performing take up only about 30% of your time. The rest is spent on building the business, attracting students, managing accounts, and following up with people. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes.

But it’s a good trade-off because I get so much satisfaction from what I do.”

—

### The Best Part About Being a Comedian

“The best part is making people laugh and feel good in the moment. I don’t see myself only as a comedian—I used to do stand-up but now focus more on improvisation. At my core, yes, I am funny, but what I really thrive on is entertaining people and making them happy. That’s the absolute best feeling in the world.”

—

### The Worst Part About Being a Comedian

“The worst part is being the only one who finds yourself funny at times—and the delusion that you’re so good you can pursue it full-time. Also, I’m very scared of people not liking me. I really want everyone to like me—not for validation but because I don’t like being disliked. It makes me feel bad if someone doesn’t like me.”

—

### Has a Comedian Ever Stolen Your Script or Performance? How Did You Handle That?

“No one has ever stolen a joke from me. Even if they did, I don’t think anyone can convincingly perform someone else’s material because what matters most is the point of view behind the material.

The audience appreciates authenticity, honesty, and vulnerability. If you take that away, the joke loses its essence.

Of course, some topics and punchlines might overlap occasionally. But an act is a whole package, and very often overlap happens unintentionally. Whenever there’s an issue, it’s usually solvable through conversation.

I assume joke-stealing happens more with bigger comedians, not me!”

—

*Neville Bharucha’s journey from digital marketing to becoming a celebrated comedian and trainer exemplifies passion and perseverance. His portrayal of DJ Adam in* The Ba***ds of Bollywood *has made him a familiar face among audiences, and his dedication to improv continues to inspire many aspiring performers.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/exclusive-the-story-behind-the-bads-of-bollywoods-dj-adam-aka-neville-bharucha-a-comedian-and-improv-trainer

In Saudi Arabia, Dave Chappelle jokes that ‘I stand with Israel’ would be his code for censorship

In Saudi Arabia, comedian Dave Chappelle joked that saying “I stand with Israel” would be his code for censorship. The state-sponsored show, which took place on Saturday and featured a host of top international comedians, faced criticism from Human Rights Watch and several other comedians.

Dave Chappelle performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2023.

As the writer argues, the more Hollywood elites speak out on behalf of the radicalized people of Gaza, the more my people are in danger— from New York to Jerusalem.

(Photo credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

By GRACE GILSON / JTA
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-869358

Exclusive: The Story Behind The Ba***ds Of Bollywood’s DJ Adam Aka Neville Bharucha, A Comedian And Improv Trainer

**Neville Bharucha Makes His Netflix Debut in *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* as DJ Adam**

Neville Bharucha, a comedian and improv trainer, recently marked his Netflix debut in *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*, playing the very lovable music composer DJ Adam. In the series, his character partners with Manoj Pahwa’s Avtar Singh, and together they create a viral track while bringing their own dose of humour and drama to the show.

In an exclusive interaction with *The Free Press Journal*, Neville shared insights about how he landed the role, his experience working with Aryan Khan and the cast, his journey as a comedian and improv trainer, and much more.

—

### How Did You Get Cast in *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*?

“I usually get calls for auditions for TV commercials. I don’t typically do movies or web series because they require a longer commitment, and with my responsibilities as an improv teacher and teaching kids, it becomes quite difficult,” Neville revealed.

When he got the call to audition for the web series, he was initially hesitant. “I said no because I wasn’t sure if I’d have the time, especially since I was a school teacher at the time.”

However, encouraged by those around him and with a supportive nudge from his wife, who told him to just go for the audition, Neville decided to give it a shot.

“The gentleman conducting the audition was absolutely wonderful; he gave me great pointers. I remember walking out feeling extremely confident, and I called my wife saying, ‘I think I’ll get this.’ A month later, I got the call that I’d snagged the role of DJ Adam.”

—

### Tell Us About Aryan Khan’s Work Ethic

Neville had nothing but praise for Aryan Khan, the creator of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood*.

“Aryan Khan is probably one of the most sincere and hardworking people I know. From start to finish, his enthusiasm was infectious. The first narration of the opening scene had so much excitement and passion — from that moment, I knew this was something special.”

He described Aryan as “a force to reckon with” who possesses a wonderful vision and works tirelessly to bring it to life. “He is also a patient listener who considers everyone’s ideas and input.”

“Working with Aryan is incredibly inspiring because he’s driven and excited about every aspect of the project. Plus, he’s by far the most fun person to be around on set.”

—

### Working with the Cast: Any Thoughts?

“The cast is a powerhouse of huge talent,” Neville said. “Every member brings immense skill to the project.”

He singled out his experience acting alongside Manoj Pahwa: “My scenes with Manoj Sir are some of the most fun I’ve ever had on set. He’s effortlessly funny—there’s not a dialogue he can’t pull off. So many times, I remember the whole crew applauding his performances.”

“Sharing screen space with a veteran like him was honestly incredible. The entire cast is warm, friendly, and always excited to see each other. You can definitely see this camaraderie on screen.”

Neville expressed deep gratitude to be part of such a wonderful ensemble cast.

—

### From Digital Marketing to Improv Trainer: What Inspired the Switch?

Before becoming an improv trainer, Neville worked in digital marketing and enjoyed it, but there was never a clear path.

“I wanted to try many things—stand-up, hosting events, and so forth. What really drove me to improv training was my love of teaching. I always felt I was a good teacher,” he shared.

In 2018, Neville traveled abroad to study improv at esteemed places like UCB and The Second City. Upon returning, he started offering classes locally.

“It began as a whim with just a couple of unstructured classes, but over time, it grew steadily,” he recalled. “During the pandemic, I was teaching online classes five days a week with students joining from all over the world.”

Now, Neville runs regular batches at The Habitat in Khar, with 10 to 15 students joining every month. “It’s overwhelmingly wonderful to see improv gaining popularity, something that wasn’t as common five to seven years ago.”

—

### Sustaining Yourself as an Improv Trainer, Creative Writing Teacher, and Comedian

Neville explained the challenges and rewards of managing multiple creative roles independently.

“It becomes easier over time as you get better at what you do. I’m always striving to be the best, not for validation, but for my own sense of perfection. I want every class to be great and my performances to be funny.”

However, he noted that running your own business means spending a lot of time on non-teaching tasks.

“Teaching and performing only take up about 30% of my time. The rest goes into building the business, marketing, handling accounts, following up with students, and improving the experience.”

Despite the workload, Neville said the trade-off is worth it because of the immense satisfaction he derives from his work.

—

### The Best Part About Being a Comedian

“The best part is making people laugh and bringing happiness in the moment,” Neville said. “I don’t see myself just as a comedian—I consider myself more of an improviser these days. The entertainment quotient and the joy of making people feel good is what I truly love and thrive on.”

—

### The Worst Part About Being a Comedian

He admitted that sometimes, the hardest part is dealing with self-doubt and fear of rejection.

“The worst thing is being the only one who finds yourself funny or thinking you’re good enough to pursue comedy,” he joked.

“I’m also scared of people not liking me. Not for validation, but I genuinely feel bad if someone doesn’t like me.”

—

### Have You Ever Faced a Situation Where a Comedian Stole Your Script or Performance?

“No one has ever stolen a joke from me,” Neville said confidently.

He believes that while jokes might sometimes overlap, it’s the comedian’s unique point of view (POV) that makes the material authentic.

“The audience appreciates honesty and vulnerability on stage. You can’t convincingly perform someone else’s material because that authenticity gets lost.”

Neville added that conversations usually resolve any issues around joke ownership and that if such incidents happen, it is usually better comedians whose material gets stolen — and he doesn’t consider himself one of them.

—

Neville Bharucha’s journey from digital marketing professional to acclaimed comedian and improv trainer, culminating in his exciting Netflix debut, is a testament to passion, persistence, and the power of following one’s creative instincts. Fans of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* and comedy enthusiasts alike will surely enjoy seeing him bring DJ Adam to life on screen.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/exclusive-the-story-behind-the-bads-of-bollywoods-dj-adam-aka-neville-bharucha-a-comedian-and-improv-trainer

A’ja Wilson and Dana Evans lead Las Vegas Aces past Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in WNBA Finals opener

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Aja Wilson and Dana Evans each scored 21 points as the Las Vegas Aces edged the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night.

Wilson contributed 12 of her points over the final 14 minutes, helping the Aces hold on as Phoenix’s Satou Sabally missed a long 3-pointer with 2 seconds left that would have tied the game. Game 2 is set for Sunday in Las Vegas.

Evans led a dominant Aces bench that outscored the Mercury’s reserves 41-16. Reserve Jewell Loyd added 18 points for second-seeded Las Vegas, while starter Jackie Young contributed 10 points. Wilson also grabbed 10 rebounds, and Chelsea Gray led the team with 10 assists.

For the fourth-seeded Mercury, Kahleah Cooper scored 21 points. Sabally added 19 points, and Alyssa Thomas closely missed a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

Cooper’s 19 first-half points were just one shy of her playoff career high for a half. Interestingly, her personal best of 20 points in a first half also came against the Mercury, during Game 3 of the 2021 Finals when she played for Chicago. Cooper’s five 3-pointers in the first half surpassed her previous high of four made threes in a game.

If this opening game was any indication, this WNBA Finals — the first-ever best-of-seven series — is set to be tightly contested throughout. The largest lead was nine points, and the game featured 12 lead changes and nine ties.

The Mercury threatened to take control on several occasions, only for the Aces to respond with timely runs. In the closing moments, with Phoenix down by one point and 24.6 seconds remaining, Thomas went to the free-throw line but missed both attempts.

On the other end, Young was fouled with 13.5 seconds left and calmly sank both free throws, sealing the final margin and giving Las Vegas the Game 1 victory.

___

AP WNBA: Copyright.
https://wtop.com/wnba/2025/10/aja-wilson-and-dana-evans-lead-las-vegas-aces-past-phoenix-mercury-89-86-in-wnba-finals-opener/

Owner Checks Pet Cam at Work, Can't Cope With What Dog's Caught Doing

The adorable pet cam footage showing what a Bernesedoodle named Rio was doing while his owner was at work has melted hearts online.

Many dog owners check their pet cams while they’re out and quickly wish they hadn’t. They’re often greeted with the sight of their mischievous pup climbing onto furniture or causing destruction while unattended. But not Rio, who was seen enjoying a far more relaxed day.

The pet cam showed Rio lying on the floor, directly in front of the television, watching it intently. He even appeared to be smiling and was certainly enjoying the show.

The footage, shared on the dog’s dedicated TikTok account, suggests that the audio from the TV can make Rio feel like he has company, which helps reduce the stress and anxiety of being left alone.

Interestingly, while vision isn’t their strongest sense, dogs may even be able to see certain aspects of a TV show. Dogs perceive images differently and have a color perception distinct from humans—they can only see blues, greens, and yellows. According to PetMD, canine vision is closer to 20/75, which might explain why they often sit quite close to the screen.

Of course, not all dogs will be interested in watching TV. Sight capacity varies depending on the breed, so certain pups tend to be more engaged than others.

### TikTok Users React

Since Rio’s owner shared the footage of what he gets up to when alone, hundreds of TikTok users have taken to the comments section to praise the adorable pup.

One user wrote:
“Ok this is ADORABLE. We love Bluey.”

Another posted:
“And here I thought my dog was the only one watching Bluey when I’m not home.”

A third commented:
“This is so cute, all my dog does is chew my shoes!”

And a fourth added:
“I love how Bluey has become every species’ comfort show lol, it’s so cute.”

Rio’s relaxed and happy TV-watching moment has clearly brightened the days of many pet lovers online.
https://www.newsweek.com/owner-checks-pet-cam-at-work-cant-cope-with-what-dogs-caught-doing-10823877

Ultimate Betrayal: Nicole Kidman’s Friendship with Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani ‘Being Torn Apart’ — As Actress is ‘Deeply Hurt’ Over ‘Silence’ From Pals on Keith Urban Divorce

**Nicole Kidman Feels Betrayed by Nashville Friends Amid Divorce from Keith Urban**

*Published October 3, 2025, 4:10 p.m. ET*

Nicole Kidman has been going through an emotional ordeal as she copes with the end of her 19-year marriage to Keith Urban. According to RadarOnline.com, she has also been deeply hurt by the silence of many close Nashville friends the couple once shared, including fellow country music singer Blake Shelton and his wife, Gwen Stefani.

In recent years, the two couples reportedly grew close, often spending time together at Kidman and Urban’s $3.5 million Nashville home. However, insiders reveal that Kidman, 58, feels deeply wounded by the apparent lack of support from Keith Urban’s inner circle—many of whom she considered her own friends.

### Keith Urban and Blake Shelton’s Friendship

Keith Urban, 57, and Blake Shelton, 49, have moved in similar circles for years due to their country music careers. Sources say their friendship grew stronger while working on the TV series *The Road* together. The two singers began hanging out regularly and often shared relationship advice.

An insider shared, “(Shelton) really admires what Keith has built with Nicole – it’s something they talk about a lot, and Keith’s been an incredible sounding board for Blake. Keith has a lot of advice on what it takes to weather storms and keep a marriage going when things are challenging.”

### Urban’s Friends Didn’t Warn Kidman About ‘Cheating Rumors’

As previously reported, Kidman is said to have been the one desperately trying to save the marriage before Urban moved out of their Nashville home and into a rental. Just one day after the separation news broke—and amid rumors that Urban was already involved with another woman—Kidman officially filed for divorce.

Insiders later revealed that gossip about Urban’s romantic involvement with someone other than Kidman was an open secret in Music City. This revelation added a painful layer of betrayal to an already difficult situation for the Oscar-winning actress.

### Kidman ‘Can’t Understand’ the Silence from Nashville Friends

Despite believing she was also friends with Shelton and Stefani, Kidman has reportedly been shaken by their loyalty to Urban. A source close to the situation said, “Nicole feels blindsided not just by Keith but by the silence of the whole group. She can’t understand how no one gave her even a hint, not Blake, not anyone.”

Whispers about Urban’s “late nights and mysterious disappearances” had been circulating for months before Kidman filed for divorce, prompting her to reassess her friendships in a new light.

The source continued, “Looking back, Nicole sees it now. The jokes, the awkward pauses, the looks—they were signs. She just didn’t want to believe them. She thought they were her friends, too. Now she feels betrayed by the whole world Keith came from.”
https://radaronline.com/p/nicole-kidman-keith-urban-divorce-blake-shelton-gwen-stefani-silence-betrayal/

“We agreed to disagree”: Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer makes stance clear after Trevon Diggs speaks out on Week 4 benching

Last week, the Dallas Cowboys made the surprising decision to bench Trevon Diggs for their clash against the Green Bay Packers.

The game proved to be an intense battle, ultimately ending in a 40-40 overtime tie. Both teams had multiple opportunities to secure the win, making it a closely contested matchup that could have easily gone in either direction.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-https-x-com-jonmachota-status-19741552172108350

Sean Combs ‘Has Genuine Psychological Challenges’ and ‘Suffers PTSD’ Due to Father’s Murder, Disgraced Rapper’s Lawyer Claimed Before Judge Sent Him to Prison

**Sean “Diddy” Combs Sentenced to Four Years in Prison: Lawyer Highlights Mental Health Struggles During Hearing**

*Published: Oct. 3, 2025, 5:05 p.m. ET*

Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to four years in prison following a dramatic sentencing hearing, RadarOnline.com can reveal. Prior to the judge’s ruling, Combs’ attorneys and supporters made impassioned pleas on his behalf, highlighting the rapper and entrepreneur’s troubled past and mental health challenges.

—

### Combs’ Lawyer Details Psychological Struggles

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, urged the court to consider the impact of Combs’ past on his current situation. Speaking before the sentencing, Agnifilo revealed that Combs has long suffered from mental health issues.

“We are asking for a lot, a 14-month sentence, and I want to give the court some reasons,” Agnifilo said. He pointed to traumatic events in Combs’ childhood, specifically the murder of his father, as a significant factor.

“Sean Combs has genuine psychological challenges,” Agnifilo explained. “In 2014, 2017, and 2020, he reported to three different doctors, and he was diagnosed with PTSD.”

—

### Plans for Post-Release Engagements

Earlier in the day, another attorney representing Combs, Xavier Donaldson, spoke about his client’s plans following release. According to Donaldson, Combs already had community-focused speaking engagements scheduled.

“Contrary to what the government said, we do need something for him to do if he gets out today,” Donaldson shared. He described these commitments as “teaching” opportunities aimed at helping formerly convicted individuals prepare for life after prison.

“These are teaching engagements that we contacted them about if the court lets him out,” Donaldson added.

—

### Support From a Pastor

A Miami pastor also appeared in court to advocate for Combs’ release. Rev. Gary Johnson emphasized that incarceration would unlikely change Combs’ behavior or character.

“The government equates Sean Combs with a pimp. I want to be clear, Mr. Combs is not a pimp,” the pastor told the court. “A pimp is in the business of subjugating women; therefore, he should not and cannot be considered a pimp.”

Rev. Johnson continued, “As Michael Jordan said, these sneakers are just sneakers – but when Sean does things, he turns them into opportunities. Sean needs an opportunity. I am asking you to give him to us, and we won’t let you down.”

—

### Combs’ Emotional Statement

In a heartfelt statement prior to sentencing, Combs addressed the court directly, expressing remorse for his actions.

“One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle was having to be quiet and not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions,” he said.

Combs apologized specifically to Cassie Ventura, acknowledging any emotional or physical harm he caused her.

“I want to personally apologize to Cassie Ventura for any harm I have caused her emotionally or physically. I don’t take that lightly. I would like to apologize to her family. I am so sorry. I would like to apologize to Jane. I’m sorry. I brought you into my mess,” he added.

He described his behavior as “disgusting, shameful, and sick,” admitting struggles with substance abuse.

“I was sick, sick from the drugs. I was out of control, I needed help, and I didn’t get the help, and I cannot make no excuse because my mother taught me,” Combs continued. “I got lost in my dream of life. I am not this larger-than-life person. I am just a human being. I was trying my best, I got lost in my excess.”

—

### Guilty Verdict

Before his sentencing, Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, charges that have added to the gravity of his legal battle.

—

This case highlights the complex intersections of celebrity, mental health, and the legal system, bringing Sean “Diddy” Combs’ personal struggles into the public eye as he begins his prison sentence.
https://radaronline.com/p/sean-coms-psychological-challenges-ptsd-lawyer-claims/

Universal to reopen Stardust Racers ride two weeks after man’s death

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Universal Orlando Resort plans to reopen its Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universe more than two weeks after a 32-year-old man died of blunt force injuries following a ride on the high-speed roller coaster.

Signs will be updated to reinforce existing warnings and eligibility requirements to help visitors decide if they should go on the dual-launch coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph), Karen Irwin, president and chief operating officer at Universal Orlando Resort, said Friday in a memo to workers. The ride is scheduled to reopen on Saturday.

The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala had publicly urged Universal not to reopen the ride until all investigations were finished and they had a better understanding of how he died. The medical examiner for the Orlando area ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries and said the manner of death was an accident. The full autopsy report has not been made public.

Zavala had a spinal disability from birth and used a wheelchair, but his family’s attorneys stated that his disability did not cause his death on September 17.

Irwin said the ride at Universal’s newest theme park had undergone an extensive operational and technical review that confirmed the ride systems had functioned properly and that Universal workers had followed proper procedures. The ride systems manufacturer and an independent roller coaster engineering expert also conducted on-site testing, supporting Universal’s findings.

Separately, a woman sued Universal Orlando Resort last week, claiming she was injured on the ride. She stated the ride shook her violently and slammed her head into her seat’s headrest.

Attorneys for Zavala’s family said this week that others have reached out to them with similar stories about the ride, which officially opened in May with the debut of the new theme park.
https://wtop.com/national/2025/10/universal-to-reopen-stardust-racers-ride-two-weeks-after-mans-death/

Madras High Court Orders SIT Probe Into Vijay’s TVK Rally Stampede

**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