SC Agrees to Examine DMK Allegations Against TN Ministers in Karur Probe

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on July 7 a plea filed by the DMK alleging that Tamil Nadu ministers are attempting to influence witnesses in the ongoing CBI probe into last year’s Karur stampede case .

A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu listed the matter after senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi , appearing for DMK secretary R.S. Bharati , sought urgent hearing. The plea claims that some accused persons, now serving as ministers, are interfering with witnesses and undermining the fairness of the investigation.

The petition also seeks to restrain Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay , minister Aadhav Arjuna , and others from making public statements or interacting with victims’ families in a manner that could affect the probe. It further raises concern over Vijay’s proposed July 10 visit to Karur , where he is expected to attend a public outreach programme and distribute welfare assistance to families of victims.

The DMK argues that such interactions during an ongoing investigation could create an appearance of bias and impact witness independence. It also refers to alleged remarks by Aadhav Arjuna , including claims of a “ score to settle ” over the incident, seeking CBI action for alleged witness tampering .

The case relates to the Karur stampede , which killed 41 people during a political rally. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered a CBI investigation , noting the tragedy had “ shaken the national conscience ,” and set up a supervisory committee headed by former judge Ajay Rastogi to monitor the probe.