The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on TVK’s plea opposing the Madras High Court’s SIT probe.
New Delhi
The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its order on a plea filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, challenging the Madras High Court’s directive to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising only Tamil Nadu Police officers to probe the Karur stampede that killed 41 people.
A Bench of Justices J. K. Maheshwari and N. V. Anjaria heard arguments from senior counsels representing the TVK, victims, and the Tamil Nadu government. The plea contended that a fair and impartial probe was impossible if conducted solely by state police officers, urging instead for an independent investigation under Supreme Court supervision.
The petition alleged the possibility of a pre-planned conspiracy behind the stampede during the TVK rally on September 27, and objected to the high court’s harsh remarks against Vijay and his party for allegedly abandoning the scene.
Earlier, police attributed the tragedy to massive overcrowding, saying nearly 27,000 people attended — thrice the expected turnout — and cited Vijay’s seven-hour delay in arriving as a contributing factor.
Separately, BJP leaders Uma Anandan and G. S. Mani have also sought a CBI probe, with the matter pending before the apex court.
The plea argued that an SIT comprising only Tamil Nadu Police officers could compromise fairness, urging the Supreme Court to order an independent, court-monitored investigation instead.
