Karur stampede case: SC allows urgent hearing of plea over witness influencing

The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear a plea alleging attempts to influence witnesses in the Karur stampede probe, where 41 people died, amid the ongoing CBI investigation into the case.

In Short

• 41 people died after a crowd surge at Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's rally
• CBI is examining permissions, crowd control and the event timeline
• Officials are also probing Vijay's 7-hour delay and its impact on crowd

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to urgently hear a plea alleging attempts to influence witnesses in the Karur stampede case, where 41 people lost their lives during a political rally in 2025.

A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu will take up the matter on Tuesday after Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi mentioned the urgency, submitting that while a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe is underway, accused persons who are now ministers in the Tamil Nadu government are allegedly attempting to sway witnesses.

The top court has consented to an urgent listing of the petition raising these concerns.

The case stems from the September 27, 2025 stampede in Karur during a public outreach programme organised by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). A sudden surge of crowds at the event led to a fatal stampede that claimed 41 lives and triggered nationwide concern.

The Supreme Court had earlier transferred the investigation from a state Special Investigation Team to the CBI, observing that the incident required an independent and impartial probe. A three-member supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi was also constituted to monitor the investigation.

The CBI has since been examining multiple aspects of the event, including crowd management arrangements, permissions for the rally, and the sequence of events on the day. One key line of inquiry is the alleged seven-hour delay in the arrival of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK president Vijay at the venue after the scheduled start, which officials are assessing for its possible impact on crowd build-up.

Officials are also reviewing organisational responsibility for the event, including who approved the Karur venue, how the rally was planned within the party structure, and when Vijay was informed. The agency is additionally examining whether adequate safety measures such as entry-exit routes, drinking water arrangements and risk assessments were in place in coordination with district authorities.

Actor and TVK chief Vijay had recently appeared before the CBI in Delhi in connection with the probe and spent nearly seven hours at the agency headquarters.

Separately, the DMK has moved the Supreme Court seeking directions restraining TVK leaders, including Vijay, from making public statements on the case, alleging that such remarks could prejudice the ongoing investigation. The party has also flagged statements attributed to a Tamil Nadu minister and sought action in the matter.

In its plea filed through organising secretary RS Bharathi, the DMK claimed that some individuals initially chargesheeted in the case are now part of the state cabinet following the 2026 Assembly elections, and expressed apprehension over attempts to influence witnesses.

The petition currently listed before the Supreme Court seeks urgent intervention to ensure that public commentary and political activity do not interfere with the ongoing CBI investigation into the tragedy.

- Ends