The Supreme Court on Thursday advised the family of a victim of the Karur stampede to approach the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with its complaint that officials had threatened them.
A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi noted submissions from the family’s counsel, who alleged that state officials had intimidated and coerced the petitioner. The bench said, “It is contended that the petitioner has been threatened and cajoled by the officials of the State. However, in this regard, it suffices to say that the petitioner may apply to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Except to say the same, at present, no further orders are required to be passed on the interlocutory applications.”
The direction comes weeks after the apex court ordered a CBI investigation into the Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives on September 27 during a rally organised by actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The court had said the tragedy “has shaken the national conscience” and called for an impartial probe.
Hearing TVK’s plea seeking an independent investigation, the Supreme Court had on October 13 suspended the Madras High Court’s order for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a one-man commission, transferring the probe to the central agency instead.
A three-member supervisory committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi was constituted to oversee the CBI’s investigation. The Tamil Nadu government was directed to extend full cooperation to the central agency.
The top court had also criticised Justice N. Senthilkumar of the Madras High Court for making observations against the TVK and its members and ordering an SIT probe without hearing them. It said such actions undermined the principles of fairness in judicial proceedings.
During the earlier hearing, the bench had observed that the incident had “wide ramifications with respect to the lives of the citizens” and that protecting the fundamental rights of the bereaved families was paramount. It also took exception to “comments made before the media by top police officers” that could compromise the perception of impartiality in the probe.
Police had previously said the rally witnessed a crowd of 27,000 people—almost triple the expected turnout—and blamed a seven-hour delay in Vijay’s arrival for the tragic stampede.
