SC directs CBI probe in Karur stampede, former judge appointed to oversee

The Supreme Court has ordered the CBI to investigate the Karur stampede, which killed 41 people. Former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi has been appointed to head a committee that will supervise the investigation.

The court’s decision follows a plea by Tamil actor Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and others, who said that the Tamil Nadu Police alone could not conduct a fair and impartial investigation.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will also hear a petition by BJP leader Uma Anandan, challenging a previous high court decision that refused a CBI probe. Another BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, G S Mani, has filed a similar petition.

The TVK has raised concerns about the high court forming a special investigation team (SIT) consisting only of state police officers. They suggested that the stampede might have been caused by a deliberate act, not just an accident.

The plea also objected to the high court criticizing Vijay and his party, saying they left the rally venue after the incident without showing remorse.

Police said the rally had 27,000 attendees, almost three times the expected 10,000. They also blamed the tragedy partly on Vijay arriving seven hours late, which caused crowding and confusion.

The Supreme Court’s intervention is expected to ensure an independent and thorough investigation into one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest stampedes in recent years.