The Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede that occurred during actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay rally in Tamil Nadu last month, terming it an “incident that shook the nation.”
A bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria directed the central agency to take over the investigation immediately and appointed a three-member supervisory committee to monitor the process. The committee will be headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi and will include two IPS officers — from the Tamil Nadu cadre but not natives of the state — to ensure impartiality.
“This is a matter of national concern that warrants an independent and transparent investigation,” the bench observed.
Committee to Monitor the CBI Probe
The apex court decision came after questions were raised about the handling of the investigation by the state police and the Madras High Court earlier refusal to order a CBI inquiry. The court criticized how a single-judge bench of the High Court Chennai bench had intervened in the matter despite another bench already examining it.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the incident reflected a serious lapse in crowd management and public safety during political events.
“The tragedy has deeply affected the nation and exposed administrative failures,” the court said, directing the CBI to submit periodic progress reports to the monitoring committee.
41 Dead, 60 Injured in Karur Tragedy
The stampede, which took place on September 27, claimed the lives of 41 people and injured more than 60 others during a rally organized by Vijay political party, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Officials said around 30,000 people had gathered at a venue designed to hold just 10,000 attendees, leading to overcrowding and chaos.
Preliminary reports revealed violations of safety protocols, insufficient security personnel, and a lack of basic amenities such as food, water, and first aid facilities. Panic reportedly broke out when sections of the crowd began pushing toward the stage amid a distribution drive of relief materials.
Supreme Court Concern Over Accountability
The bench underlined the need for accountability and systemic reform, stating that the incident was a “wake-up call” for authorities across India.
“The loss of so many lives cannot be treated as an isolated administrative failure. It is a reminder of the responsibility public figures and organizers hold toward citizens,” the court said.
The Supreme Court directive to the CBI aims to ensure that the truth behind the lapses is uncovered and those responsible are held accountable. The court also instructed both the Tamil Nadu government and the Union Home Ministry to extend full cooperation to the central agency.
A Turning Point for Political Rallies
The Karur stampede has renewed debate over public safety standards at large political gatherings, especially in states where rallies draw massive crowds. Experts believe the CBI probe could set a national precedent for crowd control regulations and organizer liability in similar events.
As the investigation begins, the victims’ families continue to demand justice, hoping the Supreme Court intervention will finally bring clarity, accountability, and closure to one of Tamil Nadu most devastating tragedies in recent years.
