Karur stampede: SC to hear plea for CBI probe on Oct 10

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on October 10 a petition challenging a Madras High Court order refusing a CBI probe into the September 27 stampede at Karur in Tamil Nadu during a political rally of actor and TVK founder Vijay that killed 41 persons and injured over 60.

“List (it) on Friday,” a Bench led by CJI BR Gavai said, taking note of BJP leader Uma Anandan’s petition seeking a CBI probe into the stampede.

“A plea for CBI probe has been dismissed whereas a single judge has observed that he is not satisfied with the probe conducted (into the stampede),” her lawyer told the Bench.

On October 3, the Madras High Court formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the September 27 stampede at the political rally of Vijay.

The high court also dismissed the BJP leader’s plea seeking a CBI probe into the incident and directed her to approach the Madurai Bench.

The high court formed the SIT under senior IPS officer and Inspector General, North Zone, Asra Garg. It had pulled up the organisers of the event, the TVK leadership and police over the stampede, which killed multiple women and children, among others.

A total of 41 people died in the stampede, with police noting that the rally saw a turnout of 27,000, nearly three times the expected 10,000 participants. The police alleged that the tragedy was caused due to a seven-hour delay on the part of Vijay in reaching the venue.