Vijay’s Party Moves SC Against Sit Probe Into Karur Stampede
The plea has challenged the Madras High Court's October 3 order constituting a SIT headed by the Inspector General of Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident
A bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran took note of submissions from the petitioner’s counsel seeking an urgent hearing.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear on October 10 a separate plea by BJP leader Uma Anandan, who challenged the High Court’s refusal to order a CBI probe into the September 27 stampede. The CJI said the TVK plea would be heard along with the earlier petition on Friday.
The TVK petition sought an independent investigation under the Supreme Court’s supervision, arguing that a fair and impartial probe would not be possible if conducted solely by Tamil Nadu police officers. It objected to the High Court’s decision to constitute an SIT comprising only state police officials and alleged a possible pre-planned conspiracy by miscreants that led to the tragedy.
The plea also objected to the High Court’s remarks against the party and actor-politician Vijay, which stated that they had abandoned the site after the incident and failed to express remorse.
The stampede in Karur claimed 41 lives during a rally attended by around 27,000 people, nearly three times the expected turnout. Police have attributed part of the chaos to a seven-hour delay in Vijay’s arrival at the venue.
