The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its order on multiple pleas filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam — the political party founded by actor Vijay — along with petitions from the families of 2 deceased victims and others, seeking an independent probe into the Karur stampede that occurred on September 27 during Vijay’s public rally.
A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria heard arguments from all sides and directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a counter affidavit responding to the victims’ petitions before reserving its decision.
TVK Challenges Madras HC-Ordered SIT Probe
Earlier, on October 8, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear the plea filed by TVK through its General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna, seeking an impartial investigation monitored by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The party’s plea — filed through advocates Dixita Gohil, Pranjal Agarwal, and Yash S. Vijay — challenged the Madras High Court’s October 3 order that constituted a Special Investigation Team headed by the Inspector General of Police to investigate the stampede.
The petition argued that despite the High Court expressing doubts over the independence of the state police, it still formed an SIT composed entirely of Tamil Nadu Police officers, which could compromise the impartiality of the probe.
“The petitioner-party as well as its leaders are prejudiced by the order which appoints an SIT composed solely of officers of the State Police, especially in the face of the High Court’s own observations questioning their independence,” the plea stated.
TVK Alleges Conspiracy, Cites Prejudice Against Party
The party further claimed that a pre-planned conspiracy by “certain miscreants” to disrupt the rally could not be ruled out, and therefore, an independent inquiry was essential to establish the truth.
It also contended that adverse remarks made by the High Court against the TVK and its leadership had caused severe prejudice to the party and its office-bearers.
The plea alleged that the Court’s observations and directions were passed without any factual verification or opportunity for TVK to be heard, violating principles of natural justice and fair trial.
Specifically, the plea objected to the High Court’s remarks criticising TVK leaders for allegedly fleeing the scene and failing to assist victims during the incident.
“Such observations are factually incorrect and contrary to the record. The contemporaneous sequence of events clearly establishes that upon learning that individuals had fainted, the party leadership and cadre immediately coordinated medical aid and relief,” the plea asserted.
After hearing submissions from the petitioners, victims’ families, and the Tamil Nadu government, the bench reserved its order.
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