Summary: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court turned down requests for a CBI investigation into a tragic stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, where 41 people lost their lives.
On September 27, 2025, a rally organized by the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur, Tamil Nadu, ended in tragedy. A stampede resulted in the death of 41 people, including children, and injured more than 80 others. Ramesh KK, the person who filed the request, wanted a CBI investigation into the incident.
Those who filed the request argued that the state police might not investigate fairly since they allowed the rally to happen. They were worried that the real wrongdoers would not be caught without an unbiased investigation. They also asked for money to be given to the families of the victims and those who were hurt.
"The petitioners fear that the State Police may not do their job properly," noted the court.
The court, led by Justices M. Dhandapani and M. Jothiraman, decided not to hand over the investigation to the CBI. They said there wasn't enough evidence showing that the state police did anything wrong and pointed out that the investigation was still in its early stages.
"This special power should be used rarely, carefully, and only in unusual situations," the court remarked.
The court noted that the Tamil Nadu government had announced Rs. 10 lakh compensation for each victim's family, while the TVK party promised Rs. 20 lakh. People who were injured were to receive Rs. 2 lakh each.
The court dismissed the requests, stating that without clear evidence of state interference or police wrongdoing, a CBI investigation was not needed. They encouraged the petitioners to come back if future investigation findings justified such a move.
