**Court Refuses CBI Probe into Vijay Rally Stampede**
*By Chanshimla Varah | October 3, 2025, 3:12 PM*
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has declined to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic stampede at actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur. The incident, which took place on September 27, resulted in the deaths of 41 people and left dozens injured.
### Court’s Observations
The court noted that the Tamil Nadu Police are still investigating the matter. It also highlighted that the petitions requesting a CBI probe were filed by individuals not directly affected by the stampede.
Addressing the petitioners, a bench comprising Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman stated,
*”If aggrieved persons come to this court, we will rescue. Who are you? Don’t treat this court as a political arena. If, during the investigation, something goes wrong, you can come back. This is just the initial stage.”*
### Regulations for Political Rallies
The court took note of the state government’s assurance that no demonstrations or meetings would be permitted near state or national highways until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are established.
Furthermore, the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench issued interim directives to ensure the presence of basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, ambulances, exit paths, escape routes, and adequate parking at all political rallies.
This came as the court heard over a dozen petitions following the Karur disaster. The petitions sought a CBI probe, the framing of SOPs for meetings, and increased compensation for victims.
### Compensation Notices Issued
In response to petitions demanding enhanced compensation for the victims’ families, the court issued notices to the Tamil Nadu government and Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), requesting their replies within two weeks.
Earlier, the TVK had independently announced compensation of ₹20 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured, while the Tamil Nadu government declared a ₹10 lakh assistance package for the deceased’s families.
### Incident Details and Aftermath
The ill-fated TVK rally, held in Veluswamypuram, Karur district, was sanctioned for around 10,000 attendees but reportedly attracted between 25,000 to 60,000 people.
Crowd management challenges were exacerbated by many attendees arriving early, enduring long waits in scorching heat without adequate access to water or toilets. Restricted roadways, intermittent power outages, inadequate crowd control, and blocked escape routes—obstructed by ropes, barricades, and hoardings—further intensified the situation.
Following the tragedy, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against several TVK functionaries (excluding Vijay) on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
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*The court’s decision underscores ongoing scrutiny over crowd safety protocols at political rallies and the urgent need for robust preventive measures to avert future disasters.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/madras-high-court-refuses-cbi-probe-into-vijay-rally-stampede/story
