The court took into account that the investigation into the case was at a nascent stage and no allegations had been raised either with regard to the manner of investigation or the interference, if any by the State or its machinery.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday refused to order CBI probe into the Karur stampede incident that resulted in the death of 41 people during actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Velusamypuram in the district on September 27 (Saturday).The court also directed the State government not to grant permission to any political party or organisation for conducting public meetings on National and State Highways till the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were in place.Also View: A visual timeline on how Karur stampede unfoldedA Division Bench of Justices M. Dhandapani and M. Jothiraman dismissed the public interest litigation petitions that had sought CBI probe into the incident. The court took into account that the investigation into the case was at a nascent stage and no allegations had been raised either with regard to the manner of investigation or the interference, if any by the State or its machinery.To a query raised by the court on whether permission was granted to conduct the event on a State Highway, the State submitted that the place was abutting the highway and it was not on the highway.Taking into account the fact that the matters regarding the SOPs for such events were pending before the Madras High Court, the court directed the State government not to grant permission for any such events on the National and State Highways till the SOPs were in place. The State also gave an undertaking that no permissions will be granted for any party to conduct public meetings on National and State Highways.The court directed that in the places earmarked for conducting such events the authorities must ensure that the organisers adhere to safety measures including providing drinking water, medical facilities with ambulance, proper sanitation, sufficient parking space and other basic facilities.The permission should be granted for conducting the events only at the places earmarked. If no such place was available, then the District Administration and law enforcing agency should call upon the organiser to identify the place and upon satisfying as to the suitability of the place keeping in mind that there was no hindrance to the public and free vehicular movement, grant permission for the meeting after obtaining an undertaking from the organiser, the court directed.While granting permission, the authorities should ensure that escape routes and exit routes for free vehicular movement, such as ambulances and other vehicles are provided at the designated meeting place and that no obstruction is caused, the court directed while disposing of a batch of public interest litigation petitions that sought a direction to the State to frame SOPs for conducting such public meetings.The court also dismissed a petition that sought enhanced compensation. The investigation has not pointed fingers on any political party or individual or even the State Government for that matter as the reason for the stampede, in which more than 40 lives have been lost and many persons have been injured. In this scenario, the court cannot give any direction for enhanced compensation by any political party or the State Government unless the guilt is fastened on a particular entity. The plea for enhanced compensation cannot be considered, the court observed. Published - October 03, 2025 08:31 pm IST
