MADRAS HIGH COURT SETS UP SIT TO INVESTIGATE KARUR STAMPEDE, CRITICIZES VIJAY’S TVK PARTY FOR DESERTING THE SCENE AND LACKING REMORSE:

The Madras High Court on Friday ordered the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Karur stampede tragedy, which occurred on September 27 and claimed the lives of 41 people. The SIT will be headed by Inspector General of Police Asra Garg. The decision came in response to a petition filed by a concerned citizen, who had urged the state authorities to frame guidelines for roadshows and ensure a proper investigation into the incident.

Justice N. Senthilkumar, while passing the order, expressed strong disapproval of the conduct of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by actor and party president Vijay. The court observed that the party had abandoned the site after the incident without offering any sense of remorse or responsibility. It stressed that such an approach reflected a serious lapse of accountability, particularly in the wake of a tragedy that had shocked the entire state. The court also noted that the scale of the tragedy and the sequence of events were witnessed across the world, making it impossible for the judiciary to remain passive or shirk its responsibility in ensuring justice.

The petitioner in the case had earlier sent a representation to the government, demanding immediate steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The representation called for the drafting of proper safety protocols, commonly referred to as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), for political rallies and public meetings. It also urged the authorities to take action against those responsible for the Karur tragedy and to suspend permissions for large gatherings until effective safety measures were put in place. However, the plea highlighted that despite the submission of this representation, the state government had failed to respond or take any action.

In support of his plea, the petitioner argued that the Karur stampede could not be dismissed as a mere accident. According to him, it was the result of careless planning and gross negligence by the organizers of the event. The absence of a structured SOP for such public gatherings, he maintained, significantly contributed to the scale of the disaster. Without clear guidelines, there remains a heightened risk of similar tragedies occurring in the future, he pointed out.

The court, while deliberating on the matter, underscored the urgent need for accountability as well as preventive measures. It held that framing SOPs for political events and roadshows was not only desirable but essential for ensuring public safety. The court emphasized that state authorities could not afford to delay the process, especially after such a devastating incident.

By constituting the SIT under the leadership of Inspector General Asra Garg, the court aimed to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede. At the same time, the oral observations made by the court served as a stern warning to political parties regarding their responsibilities while conducting large-scale public events. The case is expected to pave the way for the creation of more structured guidelines governing public gatherings, with the ultimate objective of preventing such tragedies in the future.