Vijay Approaches Madras HC: Independent Probe Demanded Into Karur Stampede

A tragic incident occurred at a rally organised by Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), in Karur, Tamil Nadu. The stampede resulted in 39 fatalities and 95 injuries. Following this, TVK has approached the Madras High Court to request an independent investigation into the event. The court has agreed to consider the urgent plea for a suo motu inquiry.

Health Secretary P Senthil Kumar provided updates on the injured, stating that 95 individuals were hospitalised. Among them, 51 are receiving treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital, with all but one reported as stable. The remaining 44 are being cared for in private hospitals. Tragically, 39 lives were lost in the incident.

TVK's Allegations and Legal Actions

The TVK party has alleged conspiracies surrounding the stampede and is seeking a probe by an independent agency. This development follows Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's announcement that a commission led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan would investigate the incident in Karur.

In response to the tragedy, Vijay and TVK have pledged compensation of ₹20 lakh to each victim's family and ₹2 lakh to each injured individual. This gesture aims to provide some relief to those affected by the unfortunate event.

Previous Concerns Raised by Court

In August, TVK had approached the High Court for permission to conduct rallies. At that time, concerns were raised about accountability in case of incidents like this stampede. The court had advised Vijay to ensure his events were conducted lawfully and suggested discouraging attendance by pregnant women and differently-abled individuals.

The judge accepted TVK's urgent motion regarding the stampede case despite court closures due to puja holidays. The case is expected to be addressed on Monday. This legal action underscores TVK's determination to uncover any underlying issues related to the incident.

The tragic events at Karur have cast a shadow over Vijay's political endeavours. As investigations proceed, there is hope for clarity on what led to such a devastating outcome during what was meant to be a peaceful rally.