Karur Stampede | Media Statements Of TN Police May Create Doubts About Impartiality Of Probe : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court observed that the comments made by senior police officers of Tamil Nadu before the media regarding the Karur stampede, in which 41 people lost their lives, may create doubt in the minds of citizens about the impartiality and fairness of the ongoing investigation by the State's Special Investigation Team (SIT).Transferring the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Court said that the case carries a political undertone and has serious ramifications for public confidence in the administration of justice.“Looking to the political undertone of the case and the fact that, without having regard to the gravity of the incident, the comments made before the media by top officers of the Police Department may create doubt in the minds of the citizenry on impartiality and fair investigation,” the bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice NV Anjarao said in its order.The Court observed that, according to the petitioners, an investigation undertaken by the same police force whose top officials had publicly exonerated their subordinates by asserting that adequate steps had been taken, would lack the element of fairness and impartiality."Prima facie, this fact in itself creates a doubt in the minds of the general public about the independence and impartiality of the investigation," the Court observed.Court Says Karur Stampede Has Shaken National ConscienceThe Supreme Court noted that the Karur stampede, which occurred on September 27, 2025, during a rally organised by TVK, “has definitely left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country.”With 41 people dead and over 100 injured, the Court said the tragedy raised questions concerning the fundamental rights of victims' families and demanded a fair, independent and credible investigation.“The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored in the criminal justice system, and one way to instill such trust is by ensuring that the investigation is completely impartial, independent and unbiased,” the Bench observed.CBI Directed To Take Over InvestigationInvoking its extraordinary powers to ensure public confidence, the Supreme Court issued the following interim directions:The investigation in FIR No. 855/2025 registered at Karur Town Police Station is transferred to the CBI.The Director, CBI, shall appoint a senior officer to take charge of the case and form a team to assist in the investigation.The Superintendent of Police and SHO of Karur Town PS, along with the SIT constituted by the High Court and the Enquiry Commission set up by the Chief Minister, have been directed to hand over all case records, evidence, and digital material to the CBI immediately.The Court also formed a 3-member Supervisory Committee, headed by former SC Judge Justice Ajay Rastogi and two Senior IPS Officers (to be chosen by Justice Rastogi) to monitor the CBI probe.Court Cites Need To Restore Faith In InvestigationThe Court said the case had wide implications for citizens' lives and that the right to a fair investigation is part of the right to life and liberty under the Constitution."There cannot be any doubt that fair investigation is the right of a citizen," the Court said.The stampede took place during a TVK rally in Karur in September, resulting in 41 deaths and injuries to over 100 persons. The Madras High Court(Madurai Bench) had earlier refused to order a CBI investigation, prompting multiple petitions in the Supreme Court. TVK approached the Court challenging the order of the Madras High Court Chennai Bench ordering constituting an SIT of only TN officers to investigate the incident.Case Details: TAMILAGA VETTRI KAZHAGAM v P.H. DINESH AND ORS.|1501 Diary No. 58048-2025Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 999Click Here To Read/Download Order

Karur Stampede | Media Statements Of TN Police May Create Doubts About Impartiality Of Probe : Supreme Court

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