SC agrees to hear DMK plea in Karur stampede case on Tuesday
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on Tuesday an application filed by the DMK in the pending Karur stampede case after the matter was mentioned for urgent listing.
The application filed by DMK Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi was mentioned before the apex court seeking an urgent hearing.
The Supreme Court agreed to list the matter for hearing on Tuesday. In the application, Bharathi has sought registration of an FIR against Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna and directions restraining TVK Ministers from making public statements relating to the Karur stampede pending completion of the court-monitored CBI investigation.
The application has been filed in the pending proceedings arising out of the September 27, 2025 Karur stampede, in which 41 people lost their lives, and 142 others were injured during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally.
The DMK has alleged that public statements made by Minister Aadhav Arjuna, who is also an accused in the case, and the proposed distribution of government benefits to victims’ families could prejudice the ongoing court-monitored CBI investigation.
Referring to a speech delivered on July 2 by Aadhav Arjuna, the application alleged that the Minister publicly declared there was “a score to settle” and blamed the previous DMK government for the Karur tragedy.
According to the plea, such statements by a sitting Cabinet Minister, who is himself facing investigation, are “wholly impermissible during the pendency of the investigation and are liable to prejudice the fairness of the ongoing process monitored by this Hon’ble Court”.
The application further alleged that the speech was intended to interfere with the CBI investigation and create a public perception that the DMK and its leadership were responsible for the incident for political gains.
It also referred to reports indicating that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was likely to visit Karur to distribute government benefits, including compassionate appointments, to the families of those who died in the stampede.
While stating that it had no objection to welfare measures for the victims’ families, the plea contended that the families are material witnesses in the court-monitored CBI investigation and any direct interaction with them by persons connected with the case could raise apprehensions regarding the fairness and independence of the investigative process.
The Supreme Court had earlier transferred the investigation into the stampede to the CBI under the supervision of a committee headed by former apex court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi after expressing concern over the manner in which the matter was being dealt with and observing that “something is wrong” with the proceedings before the Madras High Court.
–IANS
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