NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into the stampede that occurred at Vijay's TVK rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur, noting that "fair and impartial investigation is a right of the citizens".
The top court has also appointed a three-member panel headed by retired SC judge Ajay Rastogi to supervise the CBI probe in the case.
The Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that the victim’s family has said they did not file the petition on whose plea the CBI probe was ordered, terming it a fraud on the court. The court said it would examine the issue and clarified that its order is interim.
The apex court also noted that the two petitioners claiming they did not file the petition seeking a CBI probe would not affect its order, as there were other petitions that had also sought a CBI probe.
ALSO READ | SC questions HC order for SIT probe into Karur stampede
"We have referred the judgment of the state of West Bengal on protecting democratic rights and looking at the situation which has raised concerns over fundamental rights 1. Handover investigation to CBI- there can't be doubt that fair and impartial investigation is right of the citizens. 2.SIT Committee to monitor investigation- the investigation to be headed by retired Supreme Court judge and two IPS officers shall monitor the investigation to be carried out by CBI," the court noted as per the Live Law.
The Karur stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a public rally organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Veluswamypuram, Karur district, Tamil Nadu.
The event, meant to be a political gathering, turned tragic after massive overcrowding. Organisers expected around 10,000 people, but reports suggest that over 25,000–30,000 turned up.
Vijay, who was scheduled to arrive around noon, reached the venue only by 7.40pm, after thousands had waited for hours in the heat without adequate shade, food, or drinking water. As the crowd surged toward the stage to catch a glimpse of him, people began collapsing near the barricades.
Panic spread quickly, leading to a deadly stampede. Several people, including women and children, were killed or injured. Authorities later said poor crowd control, inadequate barricading, and a lack of emergency arrangements contributed to the tragedy.
ALSO READ | After Madras high court rap, rash driving FIR slapped on Vijay's driver
The top court has also appointed a three-member panel headed by retired SC judge Ajay Rastogi to supervise the CBI probe in the case.
The Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that the victim’s family has said they did not file the petition on whose plea the CBI probe was ordered, terming it a fraud on the court. The court said it would examine the issue and clarified that its order is interim.
The apex court also noted that the two petitioners claiming they did not file the petition seeking a CBI probe would not affect its order, as there were other petitions that had also sought a CBI probe.
ALSO READ | SC questions HC order for SIT probe into Karur stampede
"We have referred the judgment of the state of West Bengal on protecting democratic rights and looking at the situation which has raised concerns over fundamental rights 1. Handover investigation to CBI- there can't be doubt that fair and impartial investigation is right of the citizens. 2.SIT Committee to monitor investigation- the investigation to be headed by retired Supreme Court judge and two IPS officers shall monitor the investigation to be carried out by CBI," the court noted as per the Live Law.
The Karur stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a public rally organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Veluswamypuram, Karur district, Tamil Nadu.
The event, meant to be a political gathering, turned tragic after massive overcrowding. Organisers expected around 10,000 people, but reports suggest that over 25,000–30,000 turned up.
Vijay, who was scheduled to arrive around noon, reached the venue only by 7.40pm, after thousands had waited for hours in the heat without adequate shade, food, or drinking water. As the crowd surged toward the stage to catch a glimpse of him, people began collapsing near the barricades.
Panic spread quickly, leading to a deadly stampede. Several people, including women and children, were killed or injured. Authorities later said poor crowd control, inadequate barricading, and a lack of emergency arrangements contributed to the tragedy.
ALSO READ | After Madras high court rap, rash driving FIR slapped on Vijay's driver
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