BJP Leader Moves Supreme Court for CBI Probe in Karur Stampede

Prominent BJP leader from Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. G S Mani, vice-president of the BJP's state legal cell and a practicing advocate, filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) on Wednesday, seeking to override the state police's investigation and transfer the case to an independent agency. The plea also calls for an immediate stay on the ongoing Tamil Nadu Police probe, citing deep concerns over impartiality amid political sensitivities.

The stampede occurred on September 27 during a massive political rally organized by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the newly launched party of popular actor and politician Joseph Vijay, commonly known as Thalapathy Vijay. What was meant to be a triumphant launch event turned into a nightmare when an unexpectedly large crowd of around 27,000 people—nearly triple the anticipated 10,000—led to chaos outside the venue in Karur, a bustling district in central Tamil Nadu. Frustrated by a seven-hour delay in Vijay's arrival, attendees surged forward, resulting in a deadly crush that killed 41 individuals, including several women and children, and injured over 60 others. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic, with families torn apart in the melee as people scrambled for entry.

Mani's petition, filed through Advocate-on-Record R Sathish, argues that the incident represents not just criminal negligence but a profound violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. "A free, fair, and impartial investigation is a fundamental right for victims and citizens alike," the plea states, emphasizing that when state machinery is under suspicion—particularly in a politically charged environment—an independent probe is essential. It urges the Supreme Court to hand over the investigation to the CBI or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) supervised by a sitting or retired apex court judge, ensuring transparency and accountability.

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The Madras High Court, in a ruling on October 3, had dismissed similar demands for a CBI probe, including one from another BJP leader, redirecting it to the Madurai bench. Instead, the court constituted its own SIT, headed by senior IPS officer and North Zone Inspector General Asra Garg, to investigate the lapses. The high court pulled no punches in its criticism, lambasting the TVK organizers, party leadership, and local police for inadequate crowd management, poor planning, and failure to anticipate the frenzy surrounding Vijay's star power. "The delay in the chief guest's arrival exacerbated the situation, turning enthusiasm into tragedy," the court observed, highlighting systemic failures in event security protocols.

Adding to the legal wrangle, Mani's SLP challenges the high court's decision as flawed, pointing out that "sweeping allegations without tangible material" were dismissed too hastily. The petitioner, positioning himself as a public-spirited citizen, contends that the state government's involvement raises questions of bias, especially given the ruling DMK's rivalry with emerging forces like TVK. The Supreme Court has already scheduled hearings for related pleas on October 10, signaling potential swift judicial intervention in this high-profile case.

Beyond the investigative tug-of-war, the plea demands substantial enhancements to victim compensation. The Tamil Nadu government has disbursed Rs 10 lakh per deceased family, while Vijay personally contributed Rs 20 lakh each from his funds—a gesture praised by some but criticized by others as insufficient given the scale of loss. Mani seeks Rs 50 lakh from the state and a whopping Rs 1 crore per family from Vijay and TVK, arguing that anything less trivializes the profound grief and long-term trauma inflicted on survivors and bereaved kin. Families of the victims, many from modest backgrounds drawn by Vijay's mass appeal, have shared heartbreaking stories of shattered dreams, with children orphaned and breadwinners lost in an instant.

The Karur tragedy has ignited a broader debate on political rally safety in India, where celebrity politicians like Vijay draw lakhs, often overwhelming unprepared infrastructure. Experts call for stricter guidelines on crowd estimation, real-time monitoring, and mandatory contingency plans. As the Supreme Court deliberates, the nation watches closely—will this lead to justice for the 41 souls lost, or become another chapter in India's litany of accountability lapses? For now, the shadow of suspicion looms over Karur, demanding answers before another rally turns fatal.

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