The Tamil actor‑turned‑politician C. Joseph Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has asked the Supreme Court to bring in a retired apex court judge to conduct an independent probe into the deadly stamp‑depression that shook Karur on September 27.
In a petition filed by the party’s secretary, Aadhav Arjuna, TVK challenges the Madras High Court’s recent order that set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector‑General of Police Asra Garg. The group argues that the SIT is made up solely of senior state police officers and therefore cannot be impartial. They claim that a state‑run inquiry could not fairly investigate the tragedy that killed 41 people and injured many others.
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai will hear the plea on Friday, October 10. The court will also consider a separate appeal that argues the Madurai bench of the High Court should have sent the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
TVK says the High Court itself has voiced concerns about the independence of the state police. Yet the SIT, comprised only of Tamil Nadu officers, was still formed. “The party has been prejudiced by the order that appoints an SIT made up solely of state police officers,” the petition says.
The party also objects to the High Court judge’s remarks that TVK staff “fled from the scene” and “abandoned” victims. According to TVK, its leaders were on the ground right away, coordinating relief and medical aid when crowds began fainting.
The Karur disaster occurred at the Velusamypuram rally on the Karur‑Erode Highway. Nearly 27,000 people turned up – almost three times the expected 10,000 – after a long wait for Vijay’s performance. When the crowd surged past barricades around 8 p.m., chaos ensued, striking especially women and children who had traveled from across the state.
Tamil Nadu police have charged several TVK officials, excluding Vijay, with culpable homicide, criminal negligence, and misrepresentation of expected crowd numbers. A separate Madurai bench rejected a BJP request for a CBI probe, citing that the investigation was still in its early stages, and directed the state to halt public meetings on highways until new rules are made.
The Supreme Court’s October 10 ruling will decide whether the SIT investigation continues or whether an independent inquiry led by a former Supreme Court judge will be launched, marking a critical turn in the pursuit of justice for the Karur stampede victims.
Source: ianslive
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