The Madras High Court on Friday refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the stampede that took place at actor-turned-politician Vijay's rally in Karur, where 41 people died.
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 Court remarked.
The Bench 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 Court then directed the government and the political parties to ensure that whenever political rallies or meetings are held, even at designated places, appropriate arrangements are made for drinking water and sanitation facilities.
Further, the Court said that escape routes and parking facilities should also be provided at the rallies.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court passed the orders while hearing over a dozen petitions filed in the aftermath of the Karur stampede.
While one set of petitions sought a CBI inquiry, the other asked for the framing of SOPs for all the meetings. The third group of petitions sought a grant of enhanced compensation.
On September 27, 2025, a stampede unfolded at a rally organised by the TVK party in Veluswamypuram, Karur district, when 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.
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