SIT formed under senior IPS officer Asra Garg
The Madras High Court has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Asra Garg to probe the Karur stampede that occurred during actor-politician Vijay’s rally on September 27. The tragedy left 41 people dead and more than 60 others injured.
Garg, currently Inspector General of Police (North Zone), will lead the investigation, according to a PTI report. While hearing the case, the single-judge bench also came down heavily on the functionaries of Vijay’s party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), holding them responsible for failing to control the crowd.
The court dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe, directing the petitioner to approach the Madurai bench instead. It also rejected the anticipatory bail plea of TVK district secretary N Sathish Kumar, who had sought protection from arrest in connection with the case.
The judge questioned why TVK workers failed to manage the massive turnout and criticised the unruly conduct of the cadre, including reports of vandalism and destruction of public property during the roadshow.
The Karur stampede broke out amid an overwhelming turnout at Vijay’s rally. Preliminary investigations indicate lapses in crowd management triggered the chaos. Following the incident, Vijay and his party announced the suspension of all political rallies for two weeks, putting his statewide campaign on hold.
“In this situation where we are in pain and sorrow over the loss of our loved ones, the public meeting program of our party leader for the next two weeks is being temporarily postponed. We inform you with the approval of our party leader that new details regarding this public meeting will be announced later,” the party said in a statement on X.
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