Karur, Tamil Nadu | The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has strongly reprimanded TVK (Tamilnadu Vizhal Katchi) leaders in the case of the horrific stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu, that killed 41 people. The court categorically stated that party chief Vijay left the scene after the stampede and that neither he nor his party expressed any grief over the tragedy. The court remarked, “This reflects their mindset.”
Following the incident, state Chief Minister M.K. Stalin arrived at the scene, met with the injured, and announced compensation. However, the court found that not only did TVK leaders show a lack of sensitivity, but the administration also treated them with leniency.
Court said: “We cannot turn a blind eye”
Taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, the bench comprising Justices G. Elangovan and B. Pushpa Sathish also questioned the role of the state administration and police. The court said:
“We cannot turn a blind eye or remain silent spectators. The whole world has witnessed this incident and its consequences. Two-wheelers were hit by a TVK bus, but the driver did not stop. Is this not a case of hit and run? Why did the police not register a case?”
SIT formed, decision on anticipatory bail plea reserved
The High Court has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Asra Garg to investigate the incident. Also, the decision on the anticipatory bail pleas filed by TVK leaders Bussy Anand and CTR Nirmal Kumar has been reserved.—
State government denies “irresponsible attitude”
Additional Advocate General (AAG) J., appearing for the state government, said: Ravindran told the court that the stampede was caused by the negligence of TVK workers and the irresponsible behavior of the leadership. He pointed out that TVK, through its official social media accounts, informed the public that the event would begin at 12 noon, whereas the police had granted permission for the event from 3 pm to 7 pm.
He further stated that the police had deployed 559 personnel for the rally, compared to only 137 for AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s campaign event at the same venue a few days earlier.
TVK leaders’ defense: Situation worsened after police intervention
Senior lawyer Raghavachari, representing the petitioners, argued that the leaders had followed all legal procedures and that permission for the event had been granted only a day earlier. He stated that the state police had the sole responsibility for managing the crowd, and that the situation worsened when the police intervened.
The lawyer also alleged that a chemical was thrown into the crowd, causing many to faint. He also argued that the official organizer of the event and TVK district secretary Mathiazhagan had already been arrested, and that Anand and Nirmal Kumar had no direct role.
Public outrage, demand for answers
This horrific incident in Karur has shaken the entire Tamil Nadu. After the loss of 41 lives, the public is demanding justice. The Madras High Court’s comments have further escalated the matter, and all eyes are now on the SIT investigation.