The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court strongly criticized Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders regarding the Karur stampede. The court highlighted that party chief Vijay left the scene and the party did not show any remorse. As a result, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior IPS officer Asra Garg has been formed to investigate the incident.
Justice Senthilkumar mentioned that Vijay’s actions reflected his mindset. The court criticized the mishandling of the stampede, where 41 individuals lost their lives, and pointed out the leniency shown towards Vijay by the state. Additionally, the court questioned the responsibility of both the event organizers and the police, emphasizing the need for accountability.
During the hearing on anticipatory bail requests from TVK leaders Bussy Anand and CTR Nirmal Kumar, the state argued that the party’s own members triggered the stampede through irresponsible behavior. The court described the incident as a significant man-made disaster resulting in the loss of innocent lives, stressing that it cannot ignore its responsibilities.
The court reviewed video evidence showing negligence during the stampede and questioned why certain actions were not taken by the authorities. It also addressed a controversial social media post by party leader Aadhav Arjuna, demanding accountability and directing action against Arjuna.
In addition to these proceedings, the court is evaluating a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking restrictions on granting permission for road shows until comprehensive guidelines are in place. Counsel V Raghavachari defended Anand and Nirmal Kumar, arguing that the organizers had followed regulations and that the police failed to provide adequate protection.
Raghavachari criticized the police for their handling of the situation and claimed that the crowd’s behavior escalated after police intervention. He alleged that chemicals were dispersed in the crowd, leading to fainting incidents. The counsel asserted that Anand and Nirmal Kumar should not be held accountable, as the responsibility for crowd management lies with the State.
On the other hand, the Additional Advocate General (AAG) J Ravindran accused TVK of misleading the crowd about the event’s start time, leading to confusion. He highlighted the disparity in police deployment between the TVK rally and a previous campaign, emphasizing the need for proper planning and coordination in such events.