The controversy surrounding the Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu reached the Supreme Court on Tuesday with an appeal being filed against a Madras High Court order refusing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The appeal filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Anandan was mentioned before Chief Justice of India BR Gavai who agreed to list the case on October 10, Friday.
The stampede happened at a rally organised by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party in Veluswamypuram on September 27 where party founder and actor Vijay was campaigning.
According to reports, the rally was permitted for about 10,000 people, but the turnout far exceeded that number, with estimates ranging between 25,000 to 60,000 people attending.
Many arrived early, waiting for hours under hot conditions without sufficient water or facilities. The situation was exacerbated by narrow roads, electricity issues, inadequate crowd control measures and escape paths blocked by ropes, barricades and hoardings.
At least 41 people died during the stampede, including women and children, and dozens were injured.
Following the event, an FIR was filed against several TVK functionaries (excluding Vijay) under charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, for failing to ensure safety and for misrepresenting expected crowd size and venue arrangements.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on October 3 refused to order a CBI probe into the incident.
A Bench of Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman noted that the Tamil Nadu Police's probe into the incident is at an initial stage and the petitioners seeking a CBI probe were not the victims of the stampede.
"If aggrieved persons come to this court, we will rescue. Who are you? Don't treat this court as the political arena. If, in the investigation, something goes wrong, you come. This is the initial stage," the High Court remarked.
It took on record the submission by the State government that it will not permit any rallies or meetings near state or national highways till Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are framed in that respect.
The High Court passed the order while hearing over a dozen petitions filed in the aftermath of the Karur stampede.
This prompted the present appeal before the apex court.
Interestingly, the principal bench of the Madras High Court had passed a separate order constituting a special investigation team to probe into the incident.
[Read Live Coverage]