Karur Stampede : BJP Leader Approaches Supreme Court Seeking CBI Investigation, Alleges Lapses By State Machinery In Crowd Control

Tamil Nadu BJP Leader and State Legal Cell Vice President G.S. Mani has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI investigation into the Karur stampede that occurred during a rally organised by actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on September 27, claiming 41 lives.He has sought an investigation by either the CBI or an independent Special Investigation Team headed by a retired or sitting Supreme Court judge.Mani, who is also a practising advocate, has challenged the October 3 order of the Madras High Court, which rejected a bunch of PILs seeking a CBI probe, including one writ petition filed by him seeking transfer of investigation from the State police to CBI and for the payment of adequate compensation. According to the petition, the High Court failed to appreciate that on September 27, actor-politician Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), had organised a political rally attended by nearly 30,000 people. Due to gross mismanagement of crowd control, a sudden power outage, and the failure of authorities to ensure adequate safety arrangements, chaos broke out, resulting in a stampede in which several people lost their lives and many others sustained grievous injuries, the plea states.The plea alleges that serious lapses on the part of the higher-level organisers, district officials, police authorities and the electricity department can't be ignored. "The incident is not only a case of criminal negligence but also a gross violation of Article 21 of the Constitution. The hon'ble Court has consistently held that fee, fair and impartial investigation is a part of the fundamental right of life and liberty is not only to the victim but also to every citizen as crime against the society. When the State machinery itself is under suspicion, investigation must be entrusted to an independent agency like the CBI, or a Special Investigation Team headed by a retired/sitting judge of the Supreme Court."Mani has also asked for enhanced compensation by the State of Rs. 50,00,000 per deceased victim and Rs. 1,00,00,000 per deceased victim by the actor and political party. Currently, State has paid Rs. 10 lakhs and the actor has paid Rs. 20 lakhs.The SLP has been filed through AoR R. Sathish.It should be noted that another bench of the Madras High Court, on October 3 order, constituted an SIT led by the Inspector General of Police Asra Garg to investigate the incident.In a related development, TVK has also filed a petition against the Madras High Court's order for SIT investigation.

Karur Stampede : BJP Leader Approaches Supreme Court Seeking CBI Investigation, Alleges Lapses By State Machinery In Crowd Control

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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