By Chanshimla Varah | Oct 03, 2025, 05:08 PM
**Madras High Court Slams Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Leaders Over Karur Stampede**
The Madras High Court has strongly criticized Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders, including party chief Vijay, for their conduct during the recent tragic stampede in Karur. The court observed that Vijay “fled from the scene of occurrence” and highlighted that the party showed no remorse after 41 people lost their lives in the incident.
“The entire world has witnessed the events,” the court remarked, emphasizing that it cannot ignore or avoid its responsibilities in this matter.
### Investigation Underway; SIT Probe Ordered
The court has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by senior Indian Police Service officer Asra Garg, to probe the incident thoroughly.
During the hearing, the bench raised serious concerns, asking, “Two-wheelers were caught under a TVK bus, yet the driver did not stop despite witnessing it. Is it not a case of hit and run?” The court questioned the police on why a hit-and-run case was not registered and why they had failed to take appropriate cognizance of the incident.
Justice Senthilkumar of the Madurai Bench condemned the poor management of the stampede and criticized what was perceived as state leniency toward Vijay and the TVK leadership.
### Accountability Questioned: Organizers and Police Held Responsible
The court questioned both the event organizers and the police, pressing them on their responsibilities. “Don’t you have any responsibility?” the bench asked.
Highlighting the gravity of the tragedy, the bench stated that the man-made disaster claimed 41 innocent lives and it could not remain a “mute spectator” or shirk its duties.
These remarks were made during the hearing of a plea submitted by a man who had requested state officials to frame guidelines for roadshows and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the stampede.
### Legal Proceedings and Earlier Orders
Previously, a division bench of the Madurai High Court had refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. The bench noted that the Tamil Nadu Police was still investigating the incident and observed that the petitions came from individuals who were not directly affected by the tragedy.
“If aggrieved persons come, we will rescue. Who are you? Don’t treat this court as a political arena,” Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman had remarked.
### Background: Overcrowding and Poor Crowd Management
Reports indicate that the TVK rally was authorized for around 10,000 attendees but drew an estimated crowd of 25,000 to 60,000 people. Many arrived early and waited for hours in scorching heat without adequate access to water or toilets.
The situation worsened due to restricted roadways, insufficient crowd control measures, and escape routes blocked by ropes, barricades, and hoardings, contributing to the chaos that led to the deadly stampede.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/you-from-stampede-scene-showed-no-remorse-court-blasts-vijay/story
