**Madras High Court Slams Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Leaders Over Karur Stampede Tragedy**
*By Chanshimla Varah | Oct 03, 2025, 05:08 PM*
The Madras High Court has strongly criticized leaders of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), including party chief Vijay, for their conduct during the recent Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives.
During the proceedings, the court observed that Vijay “fled from the scene of occurrence” and highlighted the party’s apparent lack of remorse following the tragic incident. The bench emphasized that it “cannot close its eyes or avoid responsibilities” as “the entire world has witnessed the events.”
**Investigation Underway; SIT Probe Ordered**
The High Court has directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by senior Indian Police Service officer Asra Garg, to thoroughly investigate the stampede.
The court questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly pointing out that “two-wheelers were caught under a TVK bus, yet the driver did not stop despite witnessing it.” The bench asked, “Is it not a case of hit and run?” It further pressed the police with, “Why was a hit-and-run case not registered? Why have the police failed to take cognizance of it?”
Justice Senthilkumar of the Madurai Bench criticized the poor management of the event and expressed disappointment over state leniency toward Vijay.
**Accountability Questioned: Organizers and Police Under Scrutiny**
The court also addressed the event organizers and law enforcement, asking pointedly, “Don’t you have any responsibility?” Reiterating the gravity of the incident, the bench stated that a man-made disaster led to the loss of 41 innocent lives and stressed that the court could not remain a “mute spectator” or shirk its responsibilities.
These remarks were made while hearing a plea filed by a petitioner who had appealed to state officials to establish comprehensive guidelines for roadshows and to conduct a detailed inquiry into the stampede.
**Legal Proceedings and Earlier Court Decisions**
Earlier, a division bench of the Madurai High Court had refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. The bench observed that the Tamil Nadu Police were still actively investigating and noted that the petitions were filed by individuals not directly affected by the tragedy.
The same bench cautioned petitioners, stating, “If aggrieved persons come, we will rescue. Who are you? Don’t treat this court as a political arena.”
**Details of the TVK Rally and Stampede**
The TVK rally was officially permitted for approximately 10,000 attendees, yet reports estimate the actual turnout ranged between 25,000 and 60,000 people. Many participants arrived hours early, enduring scorching heat without sufficient water or sanitation facilities.
The chaotic situation worsened due to narrow roads, inadequate crowd control measures, and escape routes obstructed by ropes, barricades, and hoardings—factors that contributed significantly to the tragic stampede.
The Madras High Court’s stern observations and the SIT investigation reflect a serious commitment to accountability and prevention of such disasters in the future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/you-from-stampede-scene-showed-no-remorse-court-blasts-vijay/story
