**Madras High Court Orders SIT Probe Into Karur Stampede at Actor Vijay’s TVK Rally**
Chennai: Days after a tragic stampede at actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur claimed the lives of 41 people, the Madras High Court’s principal seat in Chennai has taken significant steps to ensure a thorough investigation.
On Friday, the Court 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” innocent attendees 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 allegedly called for a Nepal-like Gen Z revolt.
### Madurai Bench Declines CBI Probe; Restricts Highway Rallies
In a related development, the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench declined to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, noting that the police investigation was still in its early stages. However, the bench instructed the State government not to grant permission for political rallies on highways until a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is established.
### Bail Petitions Dismissed for TVK Leaders Named in FIR
Separately, the Court dismissed anticipatory bail petitions filed by TVK general secretary ‘Bussy’ Anand and another office bearer, CTR Nirmal Kumar, both named in the FIR related to the stampede.
### Court Directs Police to Hand Over FIR Documents to SIT
Justice N Senthilkumar, presiding over the main case in Chennai, directed the Karur police to hand over all FIR-related documents to the newly constituted SIT. The judge expressed concern that the State seemed to be lenient towards the accused despite reports of party leaders fleeing the scene after several children and women died.
Regretting the party leadership’s failure to express any remorse, Justice Senthilkumar remarked that this attitude reflected their “mental state.” He emphasized, “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.”
### A Man-Made Disaster Acknowledged
Describing the tragedy as a man-made disaster, the judge noted that even the President and the Prime Minister had expressed condolences and extended assistance to the victims and their families.
The Court also took notice of a petition pointing out that actor Vijay was named in the FIR. Citing video footage showing two-wheeler riders injured after falls near Vijay’s caravan, Justice Senthilkumar questioned why no hit-and-run case had been registered. The judge insisted that the police should suo motu initiate an FIR based on the video evidence.
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The Madras High Court’s decisive actions underscore the urgency of addressing accountability and ensuring justice for the victims of the Karur stampede tragedy. The investigation by the SIT is expected to provide clarity on the circumstances leading to the disaster and hold responsible parties to account.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/madras-high-court-orders-sit-probe-into-vijays-tvk-rally-stampede