The Supreme Court transferred the investigation into the Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives and injured over 100 persons during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally on September 27, 2025, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The incident occurred during a political gathering organized to be addressed by actor-turned-politician Thiru Vijay in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district.
A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria issued the interim directions while hearing multiple petitions filed by victims’ families, public-spirited citizens, and the TVK. The Court observed that the contradictory orders passed by the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench and its Principal Seat, one dismissing the plea for CBI investigation and the other suo motu constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) reflected a lack of judicial propriety and created multiplicity of proceedings.
Noting that senior police officials had made public statements defending the conduct of subordinates, the Bench held that such circumstances “create doubt in the minds of citizens about the impartiality and fairness of the investigation.” Emphasizing that “fair investigation is the right of a citizen,” the Court deemed it necessary to hand over the probe to an independent central agency to restore public faith in the criminal justice process.
The Bench also constituted a three-member Supervisory Committee headed by Justice Ajay Rastogi (Retd.), along with two senior IPS officers (to be nominated by him), to oversee the CBI probe and ensure transparency. The Committee has been empowered to issue directions, review evidence, and inquire into ancillary matters relating to the tragedy.
The Court directed that all records, including the FIR and evidence collected by the Tamil Nadu Police, the SIT, and the one-member Enquiry Commission, be immediately handed over to the CBI. The State government has been asked to fully cooperate and bear all logistical and financial costs related to the Committee’s functioning.
Further, the Supreme Court directed that the pending Writ Petition before the Madras High Court, concerning the framing of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for political rallies and mass gatherings, be assigned to a Division Bench by the Chief Justice for continued hearing.
The matter has been listed for further consideration after eight weeks.
