Summary: A roadshow in Karur turned disastrous, leading to 41 deaths. The court steps in to demand accountability and ensure future safety.
P.H. Dinesh filed a request asking for guidelines on holding roadshows safely. His request came after a tragic event at a political rally in Karur, where 41 people lost their lives.
The roadshow was organized by the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam party. It was supposed to start at 5:00 p.m. but was moved to noon, causing crowds to gather early. The event turned chaotic, resulting in a stampede.
"A major man-made disaster occurred at the said event, resulting in the loss of 41 lives."
The police had set eleven rules for the event, but only two were followed. The party's failure to comply with these rules contributed to the chaos.
The court, led by Judge N. Senthilkumar, expressed disappointment over the lack of responsibility shown by the party leader, Mr. Vijay, who left the scene. The Home Secretary has been urged to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such events.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to look into the incident. The court emphasized the need for an independent investigation, as previous efforts seemed insufficient.
"This Court is not satisfied with the progress or independence of the said investigation."
The court condemned the political party's actions and insisted on accountability. It criticized the lack of remorse and the absence of any public apology from the party.
The court directed the Police Inspector to cooperate fully with the SIT. The State has also been tasked with drafting an SOP to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Summary of Verdict: The court has taken strong action to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents like this. It has ordered a thorough investigation and the creation of clear safety guidelines for public events.
