In a major development, the Supreme Court of India on Monday (October 13, 2025) ordered a CBI investigation into the tragic Karur stampede in Tamil Nadu that claimed 41 lives and injured over a hundred. The court came down heavily on the Madras High Court, observing that its handling of multiple petitions related to the incident led to “judicial inconsistency” and “multiplicity of proceedings.”
The three-judge bench led by Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice N.V. Anjaria issued an interim order, transferring the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation while suspending the SIT and one-member commission previously set up by the state government.
Background
The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a political rally of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur district. The event was organized to welcome actor-turned-politician Thiru Vijay, drawing a massive crowd.
The tragedy led to public outrage, with families of victims and public-spirited citizens demanding an independent investigation. Multiple petitions were filed-some at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe, and others at the Chennai Bench requesting guidelines for future rallies.
However, while the Division Bench at Madurai found no flaw in the police probe, a Single Judge at Chennai went beyond the original pleadings, suo motu ordering the creation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT)-without even including the TVK as a party.
This inconsistency, the Supreme Court noted, resulted in “serious confusion and parallel proceedings.”
Court’s Observations
The bench minced no words in expressing concern over the High Court’s approach.“The learned Single Judge enlarged the scope of the writ petition in absence of pleadings or prayer for formation of an SIT,” the Supreme Court observed, adding that such actions created “multiplicity of proceedings” and “prima facie lacked propriety.”
The judges further remarked that since Karur town falls under the Madurai Bench, the Chennai Bench had no jurisdiction to entertain the related petitions. The court also noted that the Chief Minister’s one-member inquiry commission and the High Court’s suo motu SIT had overlapped, creating institutional conflict.
Most strikingly, the bench hinted at possible erosion of public confidence due to the handling of the probe by local police. “When top police officials themselves appear before the media defending their subordinates,” the court said, “how far can such an investigation be considered fair?”
The court cited the landmark judgment in State of West Bengal vs Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (2010), reiterating that while courts must use their powers sparingly, extraordinary situations require extraordinary measures.
Decision
Acknowledging the “national impact” of the tragedy and the need to restore faith in the system, the Supreme Court transferred the entire investigation to the CBI.
The court directed the CBI Director to appoint a senior officer to head the probe and ensure cooperation from Tamil Nadu authorities. It also suspended the SIT and state inquiry commission until further orders.
To guarantee transparency, a three-member Supervisory Committee was constituted under Justice Ajay Rastogi (Retd.), who will monitor the CBI’s progress. The committee may include two senior IPS officers (non-native to Tamil Nadu) to assist in oversight.
Justice Rastogi has been authorized to set his own terms, including remuneration and logistical arrangements, all to be borne by the Tamil Nadu government. The court also requested that the High Court’s pending SOP case on political rallies be assigned to a Division Bench for future hearing.
With these directions, the Supreme Court made it clear that “fair investigation is a citizen’s right” and that in such an incident that “shook the national conscience,” only an impartial probe can bring justice to the families who lost everything that evening in Karur.
Case Title: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam vs P.H. Dinesh & Others (Clubbed Matters)
Citation: 2025 INSC 1224
Date of Judgment: October 13, 2025