The Madras High Court has refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur rally stampede linked to actor-politician Vijay’s TVK party, while stressing the need for stricter safety protocols at political gatherings. A bench of Justices M. Dhandapani and M. Jothiraman observed that the police investigation was still at an early stage and pointed out that those demanding a CBI inquiry were not themselves victims of the tragedy. The court cautioned petitioners not to turn judicial proceedings into a political platform, adding that aggrieved parties could approach the court if lapses were found in the police probe.
The bench accepted the state government’s assurance that no rallies would be permitted near highways until formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were in place. It also directed that all political meetings, even in approved venues, must provide essential facilities such as drinking water, sanitation, clear escape routes, and adequate parking.
The order was passed while hearing multiple petitions—some seeking a CBI probe, others demanding SOPs, and a few calling for higher compensation to victims. The tragic incident took place on September 27, 2025, at a TVK rally in Veluswamypuram, Karur district. Although permission had been granted for around 10,000 people, actual turnout estimates ranged from 25,000 to 60,000. With inadequate crowd management, narrow roads, blocked exits, and lack of basic amenities, chaos broke out and led to a deadly stampede.
At least 41 people, including women and children, lost their lives and many others were injured. Police have registered an FIR against several TVK functionaries under provisions including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, alleging negligence in safety planning and misrepresentation of crowd figures. Vijay himself has not been named in the case
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