Karoor stampede: High Court rejects BJP plea for CBI probe, criticises TVK leadership

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Friday rejected BJP leader Uma Anandan’s plea for a CBI probe into the September 27 Karur stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) public rally, which killed 41 people and left over 60 injured. The court directed her to approach the Madurai bench, the jurisdictional court, for the matter. Anandan had sought the probe citing several unanswered questions, including possible official apathy behind the tragedy.

In a separate hearing, the court dismissed the anticipatory bail petition of TVK Namakkal district secretary Sathish Kumar, who had sought protection fearing arrest in connection with an attack on a private hospital during the rally.

The Madras High Court also sharply criticised TVK and its leadership over the Karur tragedy. The bench rebuked TVK chairman Vijay, stating that he fled after the incident and asked whether leaders could not be held responsible as organisers. TVK leaders responded that district officials were in charge and questioned whether a similar incident at a DMK event would lead to the arrest of the party secretary.

The hearing on bail petitions of TVK General Secretary N Anand and Deputy General Secretary C T Nirmal Kumar has been deferred. TVK argued that the police had granted venue permission and blamed infiltrating goons and police lathi charges for the chaos. The Tamil Nadu government countered that TVK leaders’ claims were baseless, noting that Vijay had violated instructions by holding a roadshow and that Nirmal Kumar failed to control the crowd.

The court questioned why the police had not acted suo motu and expressed astonishment at the limited action taken beyond arresting two individuals, signalling strong concern over law enforcement’s response to the incident.