A victim of the recent stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu, has filed a petition with the Madras High Court seeking to prevent actor Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), from holding future rallies. The petitioner, Senthilkannan, who sustained injuries in the September 27 incident, requests the court to direct the Director General of Police (DGP) to withhold permission for any further public gatherings by TVK until a full investigation is conducted, responsibility is assigned, and effective safety protocols are established.
The Madras High Court called off an urgent Sunday hearing regarding the Karur tragedy. However, the court is expected to hear another petition filed by the TVK party on Monday, September 29, 2025, in the Madurai bench, seeking an independent probe into the stampede.
Senthilkannan's petition argues that the Karur stampede was not an accident but a direct consequence of "reckless planning, gross mismanagement, and complete disregard for the safety of the public". He alleges that organizers permitted unrestricted crowd gathering, failed to provide adequate barricades, and positioned the campaign vehicle in a way that incited a dangerous surge. He also states that the gathering was already overcrowded without proper police control.
The petitioner contends that allowing TVK to continue holding rallies while the Karur incident remains under investigation would endanger countless lives. He also argues that the ex-gratia payment announced by the state and the appointment of a one-person commission are insufficient to address the recurring danger. Unless strict directions are issued to prevent the party from conducting rallies, tragedies of equal or greater magnitude may occur.
The stampede occurred during a TVK rally in Karur on Saturday, September 27, resulting in at least 40 deaths, including women and children, and numerous injuries. The Tamil Nadu government has offered Rs 10 lakh to each of the victim's families and formed an enquiry commission to investigate the incident. The commission, led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan, has already launched its probe in Karur.
TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, has also approached the Madras High Court, requesting a CBI or Special Investigation Team probe into the Karur stampede. According to TVK party functionary Nirmal Kumar, Justice M Dhandapani asked the advocates to file a petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which will be heard on Monday.
The Karur stampede has drawn condemnation from various political leaders. BJP leader K Annamalai has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident and announced financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for the families of the victims. DMK MP Kanimozhi emphasized that everyone must adhere to rules and laws when organizing such events. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief Sunny Joseph stated that the tragedy serves as a "lesson" to both people and politicians.
The Karur stampede resulted from a combination of factors, including poor planning and unexpected circumstances. While organizers anticipated around 10,000 attendees, over 27,000 people turned up. The event was held on a narrow public road, leaving little space for effective crowd management.
