Madras HC quashes Tamil Nadu govt's compassionate job order for Karur stampede victims' families

Madurai: The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench on Monday set aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to relatives of those killed in the 2025 Karur stampede, holding that the appointments violated the constitutional guarantee of equality in public employment.

A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel ruled that compassionate appointments cannot be extended by overlooking eligible candidates already waiting under the government's existing recruitment framework. The judges held that such appointments were inconsistent with Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunity in public employment.

The court observed that executive decisions must remain within constitutional limits and cannot create exceptions that bypass established rules governing government recruitment.

"When there is a waiting list, it is not appropriate to overlook their needs and extend what is termed as succor to family members of the Karur incident. We hold that these appointments are in direct violation of the guarantee to a citizen of this country under Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution," the court observed.

The judges also cautioned that allowing such appointments could open the "floodgates" for similar demands from families affected by other accidents and disasters.

The High Court referred to deaths in fireworks factory accidents and fatal road crashes, noting that in such cases governments generally provide ex gratia financial assistance rather than employment on compassionate grounds.

The court said extending government jobs in one category of tragedy while following a different approach in comparable cases would create unequal treatment.

Government defended decision as policy

During the hearing, Advocate General Vijay Narayan argued that the appointments were based on a policy decision taken by the government.

The petitioners, however, maintained that compassionate appointments are governed by an existing Government Order and cannot be granted outside the prescribed framework.

Accepting the challenge, the Bench concluded that the government's decision was legally unsustainable.

Jobs were issued in July

On July 10, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay handed over appointment orders to 31 relatives of people who died in the Karur stampede.

The appointments were announced as a relief measure for families affected by the tragedy that occurred on September 27, 2025.

Background: Karur stampede

The stampede took place during a TVK rally in Karur addressed by party chief Vijay. The incident claimed 41 lives and left more than 60 people injured, making it one of Tamil Nadu's deadliest political gathering tragedies in recent years.

Following the disaster, the state government announced financial assistance and later extended government employment to eligible family members of some victims.

Vijay to move Supreme Court?

Official sources indicated that the Tamil Nadu government is examining the High Court verdict and is considering filing an appeal before the Supreme Court. If the appeal is filed, the apex court will decide whether the appointments can be sustained despite the constitutional objections raised by the High Court.

With PTI inputs