In the Special Leave Petitions concerning the Karur stampede, the Supreme Court exercised its extraordinary constitutional powers under Article 32. It ordered the transfer of investigation to the CBI, citing the necessity to ensure credibility, impartiality, and public confidence in the probe, which involves serious allegations and impacts fundamental rights.
Facts Of The Case:
This case stems from a tragic stampede on September 27, 2025, during a political rally organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Karur, Tamil Nadu, resulting in 41 deaths and over 100 injuries. Multiple writ petitions were subsequently filed before the Madras High Court, primarily at its Madurai Bench, seeking a CBI investigation, compensation for victims, and the formulation of safety guidelines (SOPs) for public gatherings. While a Division Bench in Madurai dismissed pleas for a CBI probe, a Single Judge at the High Court’s principal seat in Chennai, in a separate petition, suo motu ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). This created conflicting judicial orders on the same incident. Aggrieved parties, including victims’ families, TVK, and public-spirited citizens, filed Special Leave Petitions before the Supreme Court, challenging these High Court orders and seeking a unified, impartial investigation to restore public trust in the fairness of the inquiry process.
Procedural History:
The legal proceedings originated in the Madras High Court following the Karur stampede. Multiple writ petitions were filed simultaneously before both the Madurai Bench and the Principal Bench in Chennai. The Madurai Division Bench, in petitions seeking a CBI probe and SOPs, dismissed the plea for a CBI investigation but noted the state’s undertaking regarding SOP formulation. Concurrently, a Single Judge at the Principal Bench, hearing a separate petition ostensibly about SOPs, expanded its scope suo motu and ordered the constitution of a state-level SIT, creating a direct conflict with the Division Bench’s finding on the investigation’s integrity. This jurisdictional overlap and contradictory outcomes prompted the filing of several Special Leave Petitions before the Supreme Court, which consolidated the matters to resolve the inconsistency and address the core demand for an independent investigation.
READ ALSO:Corporate vs. Cultivator: Supreme Court Rules Land Restoration Only for Disadvantaged Farmers
Court Observation:
The Supreme Court made several critical observations. It noted the improper exercise of jurisdiction and the procedural irregularity where a Single Judge at the Principal Seat expanded the scope of a writ petition suo motu to order an SIT, despite a Division Bench at the Madurai Bench, within whose territorial jurisdiction the incident occurred, having already considered and dismissed similar prayers. The Court expressed concern over this conflicting approach, which created judicial inconsistency and multiplicity of proceedings. It emphasized that the comments made by senior police officials in the media defending their subordinates, even before the investigation concluded, prima facie raised legitimate doubts about the independence and impartiality of the state police probe. The Court underscored that the magnitude of the tragedy, involving fundamental rights and having shaken national conscience, necessitated an investigation that commanded public confidence.
Final Decision & Judgement:
The Supreme Court allowed the petitions in part. By way of an interim order, it transferred the investigation from the Tamil Nadu Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure impartiality and restore public trust. It suspended the operations of the state-constituted SIT and the One-Member Enquiry Commission. Furthermore, the Court constituted a three-member Supervisory Committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to monitor the CBI’s investigation and ensure a fair and transparent process. The pending writ petition regarding the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for public rallies was directed to be heard by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court.
Case Details:
Case Title: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam vs. P.H. Dinesh & Ors. Citation: 2025 INSC 1224 Criminal/Civil Appeal No.:Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 16081 of 2025 Date of Judgement: October 13, 2025 Judges/Justice Name: Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice N.V. Anjaria
Download The Judgement Here