Supreme Court Transfers Karur Stampede Case to CBI, Cites “National Conscience” Shock

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has ordered the transfer of the Karur stampede case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing the grave nature of the tragedy that claimed 41 lives, including nine children, during a TVK rally on September 27, 2025. Justice J. Maheshwari, delivering the verdict, stated that the incident had “shaken the national conscience” and underscored the need for a comprehensive probe to ensure transparency and restore public confidence.

The apex court constituted a three-member supervisory committee comprising former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi and two senior IPS officers—preferably from the Tamil Nadu cadre—to oversee and review the CBI investigation. The CBI has been directed to submit monthly progress reports to the court. The bench, which also included Justice N.V. Anjaria, questioned why the Madras High Court’s single-judge Chennai bench had passed orders in the matter when petitions were already being heard by the Madurai bench.

Representing the Tamil Nadu government, senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and P. Wilson clarified that the state had no objection to the probe transfer and highlighted that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had earlier been formed under High Court directions. The Supreme Court’s order came in response to a petition by the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), which had sought a CBI investigation after the High Court refused to transfer the probe from the SIT. Actor-politician Vijay, who leads TVK, is expected to meet the bereaved families on October 17 under strict crowd-control measures.

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