Madurai: In a significant ruling, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday firmly dismissed a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede that killed 41 people and injured many during a rally of actor Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The court, questioning the petitioner’s locus standi, stated that the judiciary “should not be turned into a political arena.”
The bench of Justices D. Krishnakumar and L. Victoria Gowri heard the plea filed by BJP executive Uma Anandan, who alleged a “conspiracy” behind the tragedy given the approaching elections. However, the justices found no grounds to divert the case from the state police at this juncture. “How can this be transferred to the CBI when the preliminary investigation is underway?” the court questioned before dismissing the plea.
Karur Stampede Case: Court Questions Petitioner’s Right, Orders State and TVK to Respond
The court delivered a strong reprimand to the petitioner, challenging their very right to file such a plea. “What right does a person who is not related to the victims have to demand a CBI investigation?” the bench asked, clarifying that only those dissatisfied with the official investigation could legitimately seek a change. It emphasized that the case, at this stage, was not suitable for a CBI takeover.
While refusing to order a CBI probe or additional compensation pending the investigation, the court issued concrete directives for the ongoing process. It ordered the Tamil Nadu government and Vijay’s TVK party to submit their detailed responses to the tragic incident within two weeks. This move ensures that the state’s investigation will continue under judicial oversight, with the key parties being held accountable to the court.
The petition had alleged that the stampede was a result of duty failure by police and officials and questioned if rally permission was granted with “political motives.” With this ruling, the court has temporarily halted political efforts to centralize the probe, allowing the state machinery to complete its preliminary investigation.
In a parallel case, the Madras High Court on Friday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate and Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi president M.L. Ravi, who had sought a CBI probe into the Karur stampede tragedy. Justices M. Dhandapani and M. Jothiraman noted that Ravi, being a politician, was not an aggrieved party and questioned his locus standi. They emphasized that the Karur police investigation was still at an initial stage. Another PIL by BJP advocate G.S. Mani was also dismissed.