National Times Bureau :- The Supreme Court has ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives. The incident unfolded on September 27, during the rally of actor Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam(TVK).
A bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice NV Anjaria while pronouncing the order said that the incident shook the entire nation and deserves a fair and impartial investigation.
“The issues have a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens and the incident which has shaken the national conscience, deserves a fair and impartial investigation,” the order read.
“As such, as an interim measure, direction deserves to be issued to hand over the investigation to the CBI with a view to fair investigation of the issue. There cannot be any doubt that fair investigation is deserved by the citizens,” it further added.
To ensure transparency, the Supreme Court constituted a three-member Supervisory Committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI investigation.
Justice Rastogi has been tasked with appointing two senior IPS officers, of at least Inspector General rank, who may belong to the Tamil Nadu cadre but must not be natives of the state. The committee will have the authority to direct the CBI, examine evidence, and obtain monthly progress updates from the investigating officers.
The Court sharply criticised the Madras High Court’s Chennai Bench for setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising Tamil Nadu Police officers in a case that initially sought only the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for political rallies.