Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe into Fatal Karur Stampede at Actor Vijay's Rally

Supreme Court Mandates CBI Investigation

The Supreme Court of India on October 13, 2025, ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic stampede that occurred on September 27, 2025, during a political rally by actor-politician Vijay in Karur district, Tamil Nadu. The incident resulted in the deaths of 41 people and left numerous others injured. A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria deemed that the incident 'has a bearing on the fundamental rights of citizens and the incident has shaken national conscience,' necessitating a 'fair and impartial investigation.'

Details of the Tragic Incident

The stampede took place in Veluswamypuram on the Karur–Erode highway during a rally organized by Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Reports indicate that the event, which was expected to draw around 10,000 attendees, saw an overwhelming turnout of 25,000 to 30,000 people. The tragedy was reportedly exacerbated by several factors:

• An alleged seven-hour delay in actor Vijay's arrival at the venue.
• Massive overcrowding beyond the permitted capacity.
• A lack of adequate arrangements for food, water, and shade for the waiting crowd.
• A surge towards Vijay's convoy as he finally arrived, leading to the crush.

Initial reports varied on the number of fatalities, but the Supreme Court's order consistently cited 41 deaths, with around 50 to 100 people sustaining injuries.

Oversight Committee Appointed

To ensure the integrity and impartiality of the investigation, the Supreme Court has established a three-member monitoring committee. This committee will be headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi and will include two senior IPS officers. These officers, while from the Tamil Nadu cadre, will not be natives of the state, a measure intended to prevent any potential bias. The committee is tasked with supervising the progress of the CBI probe and may inquire into any ancillary matters necessary for a transparent investigation.

Background and Reactions

The Supreme Court's decision to hand over the probe to the CBI came after questioning the Madras High Court's earlier order to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed solely of Tamil Nadu police officers. Vijay, a prominent Tamil film actor, launched the TVK in February 2024 and was campaigning for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a compensation of 1 million Indian rupees for the families of the deceased, while Vijay also pledged 20 lakh rupees for the deceased and 2 lakh rupees for the injured. The incident also sparked controversy, with allegations surfacing that some petitions seeking a CBI probe were filed in the names of victims' families without their knowledge, a matter the Supreme Court acknowledged but stated would not affect its interim order.