October 9, 2025

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a political party founded by Tamil actor C Joseph Vijay, is not letting the tragic Karur stampede case rest quietly. On October 8, 2025, TVK shocked the scene by moving the Supreme Court, demanding a fresh, independent investigation led by a former Supreme Court judge. This stampede, which happened on September 27 at Velusamypuram in Karur district, sadly claimed 41 lives and injured many others. TVK’s plea challenges the Madras High Court’s October 3 order that formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed only by Tamil Nadu police officers. TVK argues that since the High Court itself doubted the state police's impartiality, only an independent probe can uncover the truth. “The petitioner-party as well as its leaders are prejudiced by the order which appoints an SIT composed solely of officers of the State Police, especially in the face of the observations of the Hon’ble High Court expressing its dissatisfaction with the independence of State Police and its conduct, and prejudicial factual findings against the petitioner,” the party stated clearly. The party suspects a “pre-planned conspiracy” behind the stampede and fears a state police probe would be unfair. They want a court-monitored, unbiased inquiry where all facts can be challenged openly. TVK also took offence at the High Court’s critical remarks about the party and its leaders, calling them “unverified” and a “violation of the principles of natural justice.” On the other hand, Justice N Senthilkumar, who ordered the SIT probe, did not mince words. He slammed Vijay and TVK for their behavior right after the tragedy, accusing them of having "fled from the scene" and "abandoned" people who came hoping to see the star. Yet TVK replied: “The contemporaneous sequence of events clearly establishes that, upon receiving information that certain individuals had fainted during the event, the petitioner’s leadership and party cadre took immediate and coordinated steps to ensure medical aid and relief were provided without delay.” The tragic stampede happened when over 27,000 fans—almost three times the expected crowd—gathered to see Vijay. The crowd surged when Vijay finally took the stage, breaking barricades and causing chaos. Many victims were women and children who had traveled far to glimpse their favorite star. The Tamil Nadu police have charged several TVK officials (excluding Vijay) with serious charges like culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal negligence. Meanwhile, a two-judge Bench of Madurai Bench of Madras High Court dismissed appeals seeking CBI probe, saying the investigation was just starting and no proofs of government interference were there yet. They told petitioners not to use the court as a political arena but allowed them to return if bias appears. The court also ordered no political rallies on highways till proper safety rules were set. The Supreme Court has accepted to hear TVK’s plea soon, signaling a dramatic legal battle ahead on one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest tragedies, where the star power of Vijay met a tragic crowd surge, and now the fight for justice rages on.

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Tags: Tamilaga vettri kazhagam, Vijay, Karur stampede, Supreme court, Sit probe, Cbi investigation,