CBI takes over probe of Karur stampede

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the probe into the Karur stampede , which claimed 41 lives and left over 60 injured during a political rally of actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on September 27 at Velusamypuram, Tamil Nadu.

The tragedy struck when thousands of supporters had gathered early to see Vijay, who arrived late for the rally. The delay caused mounting impatience in the crowd, and as people pressed forward in the scorching heat, chaos erupted, resulting in a stampede. Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes of people trampled in the frenzy. Videos and photographs from the site circulated widely on social media, triggering national outrage.

Following concerns over the impartiality of the state police investigation , TVK approached the Supreme Court , requesting a CBI-led independent probe . The apex court accepted the plea, highlighting the political undertones of the case and the need to safeguard the fundamental rights of the victims’ families .

The Court directed the CBI director to appoint a senior officer to head the investigation, supported by a team of officers. A three-member supervisory committee , led by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi , will monitor the investigation to ensure transparency. The CBI has re-registered the FIR filed by the state police and formally informed the local court of the takeover.

The bench, comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria , underscored the gravity of the tragedy , stating: “The September 27 stampede has left an imprint in the minds of citizens across the country. Ensuring justice for families who lost their loved ones is paramount.” The court also noted that comments from senior police officials in the media could create doubts about the fairness of the investigation.

“The faith and trust of the public in the criminal justice system must be restored,” the court said. “The probe must be completely impartial, independent, and unbiased . This incident, which has shaken the national conscience, deserves a fair and transparent investigation.”

Public reaction has been intense, with citizens and political leaders voicing grief and demanding accountability. The CBI team has already visited the site to begin evidence collection, marking the start of a central investigation aimed at delivering justice and restoring public trust .