The Madras High Court will on Monday hear a plea by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation or Special Investigation Team probe into the Karur stampede that occurred during actor-politician Vijay’s political rally on September 27.
The tragedy left 41 people dead and over 60 injured.
The advocates led by S. Arivazhagan mentioned the matter before Justice M. Dhandapani, who directed them to approach the Madurai Bench. The petition is scheduled for a hearing on Monday at 2 p.m.
Victim Seeks Ban On Rallies
In a separate plea, a victim injured in the stampede has asked the High Court to restrain Tamil Nadu Police from granting permission for any further public rallies by Vijay and his party until accountability is fixed and safety measures are enforced.
The petitioner, Senthilkannan, argued that the stampede was not an accident but “the direct result of reckless planning, gross mismanagement, and complete disregard for the safety of the public.”
He further stated that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution is sacrosanct and cannot be compromised by unsafe political gatherings. While Article 19(1)(b) allows citizens the right to assemble, he noted, the Constitution also provides for reasonable restrictions in the interest of public safety and order.
“The Karur incident is a stark reminder that the unregulated exercise of this right can have catastrophic consequences,” the petitioner submitted, urging the State to enforce preventive measures and deny permissions where clear risks exist.
Vijay Receives Bomb Threat
Amid the legal battle, Vijay on Sunday received a bomb threat, prompting security to be tightened around his residence in Chennai. The threat surfaced just a day after the stampede claimed 41 lives — including 10 children, 18 women, and 13 men.
Vijay Expresses Grief, Announces Relief
The 51-year-old actor-turned-politician expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), Vijay wrote, “My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express.”
He offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Vijay also announced financial relief: ₹20 lakh compensation for the families of each victim and ₹2 lakh each for those injured.
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