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New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on Monday on petitions seeking a CBI probe into the stampede in Karur during a political rally of actor and TVK founder Vijay in Tamil Nadu. 41 people lost their lives and more than 100 were injured in this tragic incident.
According to the cause list published on the apex court website, a bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria will pronounce its verdict on October 13 on the petitions seeking an independent probe into the case.
While actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), has demanded a probe headed by a former Supreme Court judge, several others, including BJP leader Uma Anandan, are demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The tragedy, one of the worst crowd-control failures in Tamil Nadu in recent years, shocked the entire country and raised serious questions about public safety at political events.
Earlier, the Madras High Court had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS officer Asra Garg to probe the tragic incident, while it had refused to proceed on a plea seeking a CBI probe.
In an order passed on September 3, the Madras High Court had criticized the political leadership of TVK for abandoning its followers after the fatal incident.
Justice N. A single-judge bench headed by Justice Senthilkumar said, “What is shocking is that the organizers of the event, including political party leaders, fled the venue leaving behind their workers, followers and fans. There is neither remorse, nor responsibility, nor expression of regret.”
The Madras High Court “strongly condemned the conduct of Vijay, the organizers of the event and the political party members for fleeing the scene of the incident immediately after the accidents”.
“It is the duty of such party to take immediate steps to rescue and assist the trapped persons in the stampede-like situation arising out of the huge crowd in which many children, women and many youth have tragically lost their lives,” it said.
In his special leave petition (SLP), TVK secretary Aadhav Arjun objected to the “unverified and prejudicial observations” made against his leadership by the Madras High Court, saying that when reports of people fainting emerged, TVK leaders and cadre “immediately coordinated relief and medical aid”.
The Madras High Court had directed the SIT to conduct an impartial and timely investigation and submit updates from time to time.
–IANS
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