**Court Refuses CBI Probe Into Vijay Rally Stampede**
*By Chanshimla Varah | October 3, 2025, 3:12 PM*
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The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has declined to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic stampede that occurred during actor-turned-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur. The incident, which took place on September 27, resulted in 41 deaths and left dozens injured.
### Court’s Observations
The bench, comprising Justices M Dhandapani and M Jothiraman, noted that the Tamil Nadu Police are still actively investigating the matter. They highlighted that the petitions requesting a CBI probe were filed by individuals not directly affected by the stampede.
In a stern warning, the bench said, *”If aggrieved persons come to this court, we will rescue. Who are you? Don’t treat this court as the political arena. If, in the investigation, something goes wrong, you come. This is the initial stage.”*
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### Rally Regulations and Safety Measures
The court took note of the state government’s assurance that no demonstrations or meetings would be allowed near state or national roadways until clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are established.
As interim measures, the High Court directed that all political rallies ensure essential facilities for attendees, including:
– Drinking water
– Toilets
– Ambulances
– Clear exit paths and escape routes
– Adequate parking facilities
These directives came while hearing over a dozen petitions filed in the aftermath of the Karur disaster. The petitions broadly fell into three categories: calls for a CBI probe, demands for SOPs for rallies, and requests for increased compensation for victims.
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### Compensation and Legal Notices
Responding to petitions seeking enhanced compensation for the victims’ families, the court issued notices to both the Tamil Nadu government and Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), asking for their responses within two weeks.
So far, the TVK has independently announced compensation of ₹20 lakh for families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured. The Tamil Nadu government has also announced an assistance package of ₹10 lakh for each bereaved family.
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### Incident Details and Legal Fallout
The ill-fated TVK rally in Veluswamypuram, Karur district, was originally permitted for around 10,000 people but reportedly witnessed a turnout ranging from 25,000 to 60,000. Attendees endured long wait times in scorching heat with insufficient access to water or sanitary facilities.
The situation worsened due to:
– Narrow, restricted roadways
– Power outages
– Poor crowd control
– Escape routes blocked by ropes, barricades, and hoardings
Following the tragedy, an FIR was filed against several TVK functionaries (excluding Vijay) under charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
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The Madras High Court continues to monitor the investigation and has urged authorities to prioritize the safety and welfare of rally attendees moving forward.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/madras-high-court-refuses-cbi-probe-into-vijay-rally-stampede/story
