Toll rises to 40 in Tamil Nadu stampede; Vijay’s party moves HC, seeks CBI probe

The toll in the September 27 stampede at actor-politician Vijay-led rally in Karur in Tamil Nadu climbed to 40 on Sunday, officials said. Among the deceased were 13 men, 17 women and 10 children.

As the toll mounted, Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moved the Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, seeking a CBI or an independent probe into the stampede. Vijay, facing flak from various quarters, also announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the victims, while expressing grief over the incident.

The police have registered a case under various provisions, including negligence, against TVK office-bearers. Traders, shops and commercial establishments in Karur downed the shutters as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, who leads the single-person Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government, visited the Karur hospital and spoke to affected people. Jagadeesan also inspected the scene of the stampede and met officials.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and leaders of political parties, including Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP's Nainar Nagenthran and K Annamalai, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, PMK top leader Anbumani Ramadoss visited the hospital. Celebrities, including Rajinikanth and MNM chief Kamal Haasan, have condoled the deaths.

Answering a question on the possibility of Vijay's arrest, the CM said any action, to be considered, would be based on the report of the inquiry panel and asserted that he was not inclined to make any comment with a political motive.

A Tamil students' body staged a protest in front of Vijay's house in Chennai.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia aid of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

While the state government has announced a relief of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured, the TVK announced Rs 20 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to those injured.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee announced Rs 1 crore for the families of the dead and the BJP announced Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of deceased.

Meanwhile, a man injured in the stampede moved the high court with a plea to stop the Tamil Nadu DGP from granting permission to conduct any further public meetings by the TVK leader until Saturday's incident was fully investigated and responsibility fixed.

Stopping short of alleging a conspiracy into the incident, TVK deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar told reporters that the party had approached the HC Bench with a plea for an impartial inquiry.

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar, providing updates on those deceased and injured, said two were critical and all others were stable.

Meanwhile, the police claimed the situation went out of control as several thousand people, far beyond the expected numbers, gathered to see the actor.

Also, the crowd swelled due to the delayed arrival of the actor-politician to the venue and they lacked sufficient food and water during the waiting hours under the hot sun.

ADGP (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham said nearly 500 police personnel were deployed for the rally and asserted that proper arrangements were provided.

He denied claims that there was stone pelting during the rally.

BJP leader Annamalai demanded that the government take tough action against the district collector and police superintendent and sought a CBI inquiry. — PTI