Actor Vijay's Party Appeals to Supreme Court for Independent Karur Stampede Probe
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party founded by actor C. Joseph Vijay, has approached the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe into the Karur stampede that killed 41 people. The party is challenging a Madras High Court order that established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) composed of state police officers. TVK argues that an impartial investigation, potentially led by a former Supreme Court judge, is necessary, citing the High Court's own reservations about the state police's conduct.
Unpacked:
The Karur stampede resulted in the deaths of 41 people during a crowded event, highlighting concerns about public safety and crowd management in Tamil Nadu. The large number of casualties has made the incident a focal point for demands for accountability and improved governance.
TVK distrusts the state police-led SIT because the Madras High Court itself expressed reservations about the impartiality of the state police, prompting TVK to seek an investigation led by a figure outside local law enforcement, such as a retired Supreme Court judge.
TVK, founded by actor Vijay in February 2024, is a rapidly growing party focused on social justice, secularism, and anti-corruption. It positions itself as a challenger to established parties and plans to contest all seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Established parties like DMK have criticized TVK, with some leaders calling it a ‘BJP C team.’ However, TVK has sought to maintain independence, rejecting alliances and emphasizing its commitment to transparency and social reform.