Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe into Deadly Karur Stampede
The Supreme Court has ordered a CBI probe into the stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, that killed 41 people on September 27. The rally was organized by actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. The investigation will be monitored by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi. The apex court was critical of the Madras High Court's handling of petitions related to the tragedy.
Unpacked:
The stampede was caused by severe administrative and organizational lapses, including a venue with capacity for only 2,000–3,000 people hosting an estimated 30,000, inadequate barricades, no emergency response systems, and a power failure during the chaos. Authorities ignored safety norms and national guidelines, while the delayed arrival of the main speaker increased crowd restlessness, dehydration, and panic.
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister ordered an independent probe and announced compensation for victims’ families. Opposition parties, including the NDA, accused the state government and local administration of gross negligence and demanded accountability. While some leaders focused on administrative failures, others criticized the TVK party and Vijay for poor event planning and leaving the scene quickly after the incident.
The Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe monitored by a retired judge, criticizing the Madras High Court’s earlier handling of the case. A state-appointed commission and police investigation are also underway. Several TVK leaders face culpable homicide charges, and the NDA’s fact-finding team has called for action against officials responsible for approving the event.
The tragedy highlights systemic failures in enforcing safety protocols for large gatherings, despite existing guidelines. It has reignited debates about accountability of both political organizers and local authorities, and may prompt stricter enforcement of crowd control measures, clearer chains of responsibility, and reforms to prevent similar disasters at future public events across India.