The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhaga (TVK) led by actor-politician Vijay moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday, challenging a Madras High Court order constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the deadly stampede in Karur last month.
The TVK maintains that a fair and impartial probe would not be possible if conducted solely by officers of the Tamil Nadu police. The party has demanded an independent investigation by a retired judge under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
The petition was filed by TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna through advocates Dixita Gohil, Pranjal Agarwal and Yash S. Vijay. The party has also taken strong exception to the scathing remarks made by the Madurai bench of the high court against the party members and leadership.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai has agreed to list TVK’s plea for hearing on October 10.
In its order passed on October 3, the high court had criticised the TVK leadership for abandoning their followers in the aftermath of the stampede that killed 41 people and left over a hundred others injured.
Police noted that the rally saw a turnout of 27,000—nearly three times the expected 10,000 participants—and blamed a seven-hour delay by Vijay in reaching the venue.
“Shockingly, the programme organisers, including the leader of the political party, absconded from the venue, abandoning their own cadres, followers, and fans. There is neither remorse, nor responsibility, nor even an expression of regret,” observed a single-judge Bench of Justice N. Senthilkumar.
The high court also dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the incident and constituted an SIT under IPS officer Asra Garg.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear on October 10, BJP leader Uma Anandan's plea challenging the high court order refusing a CBI probe. |
