Supreme Court to Hear DMK Plea in Karur Stampede Case

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on Tuesday an application filed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the pending Karur stampede case after the matter was mentioned for urgent listing.

The application, filed by DMK Organising Secretary R S Bharathi, seeks registration of an FIR against Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna and directions restraining ministers of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam(TVK) from making public statements related to the Karur stampede until the court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation probe is completed.

The plea forms part of the pending proceedings arising from the September 27, 2025, Karur stampede, in which 41 people died and 142 others were injured during a TVK rally.

DMK Raises Concerns Over Public Statements

The DMK alleged that remarks made by Minister Aadhav Arjuna, who is also an accused in the case, and the proposed distribution of government benefits to victims' families could influence the ongoing court-monitored CBI investigation.

Referring to a speech delivered by Aadhav Arjuna on July 2, the application claimed the minister publicly said there was "a score to settle" and blamed the previous DMK government for the Karur tragedy.

According to the plea, such comments by a serving cabinet minister who is under investigation are impermissible during the pendency of the probe and could affect the fairness of the investigation being monitored by the Supreme Court.

The application further alleged that the speech sought to interfere with the CBI investigation while creating a public perception that the DMK and its leadership were responsible for the stampede for political purposes.

Objection Over Interaction With Victims' Families

The plea also referred to reports suggesting that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay may visit Karur to distribute government benefits, including compassionate appointments, to the families of those who lost their lives.

While clarifying that it had no objection to welfare measures for the victims' families, the DMK argued that the families are material witnesses in the ongoing investigation. It contended that any direct interaction by individuals connected to the case could raise concerns regarding the independence and fairness of the probe.

Court-Monitored CBI Investigation

The Supreme Court had earlier transferred the Karur stampede investigation to the CBI under the supervision of a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi.

The apex court ordered the transfer after expressing concern over the manner in which the case was being handled and observing that "something is wrong" with the proceedings before the Madras High Court.

The matter is now scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.