Madras HC orders seizure of Vijay’s caravan, condemns TVK leadership for fleeing Karur stampede site

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Friday strongly criticised the leadership of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), including its founder, actor-turned-politician Vijay, for abandoning the scene of the deadly Karur stampede during a TVK rally on September 27, which claimed 41 lives.

As reported by Bar and Bench, Justice N Senthilkumar remarked that the TVK leadership should have taken immediate action to assist and rescue victims during the tragedy. “It is really sad that Mr Vijay, the leader, and members of his political party fled the scene of occurrence,” the court stated, condemning their conduct. The court further highlighted TVK’s failure to issue any statement expressing responsibility or remorse for the loss of life, calling it a “disregard for human life and public accountability.”

Vijay had posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) on September 30, expressing sorrow over the incident and urging the state government not to seek vengeance against TVK cadres. However, the court took a critical view of how Vijay and other party organisers were seen leaving the rally venue as the chaos unfolded.

“Shockingly, the organisers, including the leader of the political party, absconded from the venue, abandoning their own cadres, followers, and fans. There was neither remorse nor responsibility, nor even an expression of regret,” Justice Senthilkumar observed.

The court also questioned why the state police had not registered criminal cases related to two accidents captured on video during the stampede, involving collisions with the bus carrying Vijay. “In footage, it is visibly evident that two motorcycles were involved in the accident and that the driver of the bus, having seen the accident, fled from the scene...In both instances, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered by the respondent police for the offences of hit and run,” the court said, expressing deep concern over the authorities’ inaction. It stressed that even without formal complaints, the police have a duty to register FIRs suo motu and ensure those responsible face trial.

Justice Senthilkumar expressed dissatisfaction with the state’s investigation into the tragedy, calling it inadequate and lacking independence. Consequently, the court ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, despite this not being among the original reliefs sought by the petitioner, PH Dinesh, who had requested safety protocols for political roadshows.

“Though the prayer in the present writ petition is limited, the scope of the writ petition has been widened due to the extraordinary circumstances, which warrant extraordinary measures. This Court cannot close its eyes, remain a mute spectator, and shrink from its constitutional responsibilities,” it said.

The SIT will be led by Inspector General of Police Asra Garg (North Zone), alongside IPS officers Vimala, Superintendent of Police, Namakkal, and Shyamaladevi, Superintendent of Police, CSCID. The team may be expanded as necessary. The court directed the state government to provide full cooperation and all necessary resources for the SIT’s work.

“All the available CCTV footages in the place of the incident, more particularly, the CCTV footages inside and outside the bus carrying the leader of the political party shall be seized. The said bus which is involved in the hit and run shall also be seized,” the order stated.

Senior Advocate G Sankaran and Advocate S Bharathi Rajan represented the petitioner, while Additional Advocate General J Ravindran, Government Advocate S Santhosh, Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohammed Jinnah, and Additional Public Prosecutor A Damodaran appeared for the state.