SC Orders CBI Probe in Karur Rally Stampede
The Supreme Court of India has ordered a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the fatal stampede at a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu held by actor-politician Vijay (TVK) on 27 September 2025. The court described the incident as one that “shook the nation.”
A three-member oversight committee, led by retired Supreme Court Judge Ajay Rastogi, will monitor the investigation. The committee also includes two IPS officers, none of whom will be natives of Tamil Nadu.
The Stampede Details
The stampede claimed 41 lives and injured at least 60 people during the rally in Veluswamypuram.
Officials reported that about 30,000 people had gathered at the venue, far exceeding its capacity of around 10,000. The safety arrangements were found lacking, and basic amenities like water and crowd control were insufficient.
Previous Investigations
Before the Supreme Court order, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was probing the case under orders from the Madras High Court.
The Tamil Nadu government had also set up a one-member commission under retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan to examine the causes, procedural lapses, permissions granted, and to fix accountability.
