Karur stampede: TVK tells Supreme Court ‘pre-planned conspiracy’ cannot be ruled out

A Supreme Court Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria are scheduled to hear on Friday (October 10, 2025) a petition filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to appoint a former apex court judge to oversee the probe into the Karur stampede which claimed 41 lives.

TVK has urged that a “pre-planned conspiracy by certain miscreants to create trouble at the site of the rally cannot be ruled out”.

The petition challenges observations made by the Madras High Court in a suo motu hearing, including that the TVK leadership, led by president Joseph Vijay, fled the scene of the tragedy.

The petition pointed out that the High Court seemed to contradict itself by first voicing doubts about the “independence” of the Tamil Nadu Police probe only to transfer it to a Special Investigation Team of the State Police personnel.

TVK said it’s leadership did not “flee” the stampede, but was following the directions of the district police.

“It was not with any intent to evade or abandon the situation. The intention was only to ensure that a calm environment could be immediately restored and the crowds dispersed quickly,” the special leave petition said.

While departing the scene in the interest of public order, TVK said neither Mr. Vijay nor other senior party leaders were aware of the tragic loss of life that was occurring”.

The petition claimed a lathi charge was conducted by the police on several of the party’s cadre who were still present at the site.

“The undue force used by the police resulted in the crowd being forcibly dispersed, thereby restricting the ability of the party cadre to remain at the location and continue to rendered assistance to the affected persons,” TVK submitted.

The party-petitioner said its medical team however bravely stayed to administer to the injured and take them to the waiting ambulances.

Also see: A visual timeline on how Karur stampede unfolded

The party had only acted “in a manner consistent with its obligations towards public safety and law enforcement”.

The petition also objected to the High Court observations that there was no “statement, no expression of responsibility regarding the occurrence” from the TVK leaders.

The party said “Mr. Vijay was deeply shaken by the tragedy” and has already made multiple verified public statements expressing “grief, extending condolences and announcing material assistance to victims and their families”.