The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday reserved orders on anticipatory bail pleas filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries N Anand alias ‘Bussy’ Anand and CTR Nirmal Kumar in connection with the Karur stampede that killed 41 people during the party’s rally on 27 September 2025.
Justice M Jothiraman heard the petitions, where the two leaders face charges under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt to commit culpable homicide, acts endangering life or safety, and disobedience to public order) as well as the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.
Senior counsel V Raghavachari, representing the petitioners, called the case a “concocted one” and argued that no intention could be attributed to them. He said the tragedy was due to police mishandling, not negligence by TVK. He maintained that the authorities had granted permission for the meeting, but the crowd was unexpectedly large. “No policeman was near the crowd… My leader comes at 6 pm, people wanted to see him. I expected police to provide protection,” he said, alleging that police lathi charge and even use of chemicals caused panic.
Justice Senthilkumar questioned both the organisers and the police over responsibility, asking, “As an event organiser, don’t you have any responsibility?” The court expressed anguish over what it described as state leniency towards Vijay and observed that he “vanished” from the spot when the incident occurred.
“I am not the event organiser. The event organiser has been arrested. If any incident takes place at a DMK rally, can the secretary be arrested? I am saying the event was orderly conducted till the police indulged in lathi charge. The entire issue is why do they rope me? The fact that I (referring to Anand) was an ex-MLA or that I am getting support should not be an intimidatory factor before any ruling party,” Raghavachari replied.
He added, “My lordship may grant me (petitioners) protection. I will be before them (police) from morning to the evening. But should I be humiliated like this by making an accused?” The State, meanwhile, asserted that the tragedy that took place because TVK’s leaders behaved irresponsibly.
“As General Secretary, he (Anand) made the request to the media and his cadre that the leader is coming, so the people should be there by 12 o’clock. Has he made a single statement in the media that people should behave responsibly? Not even a single announcement took place that the crowd should stay disciplined. What is the step taken by them? Was there any public announcement by the General Secretary or Join Secretary?” the State counsel contended.
While responding to the Court’s query on whether children and women were part of the crowd which gathered during the rally, the State’s lawyer added, “No arrangements were made for them. Not even a single water bottle was available. Police can’t give drinking water, they (TVK) have to do it. Of course, it is unfortunate incident but these people have not taken care of their own cadres, they absconded from the scene. None of these petitioners were available. Is it expected of the responsible people to do this?”
Additional Advocate General J Ravindran, opposing the pleas, said negligence and recklessness were clear. “We know it is not intentional, that is why we invoked 304 part 2. But these people didn’t care for their own cadres. They absconded while police rescued victims.” He added that TVK failed to provide water or basic amenities, and misleadingly tweeted the rally would start at noon despite permission only from 3 pm to 7 pm.
The AAG said post-mortem reports confirmed deaths were due to dehydration and asphyxia. He stressed that the investigation was at an early stage and the petitioners’ role must be examined, noting 559 police personnel had been deployed compared to 137 for a recent AIADMK rally.
The court also heard petitions for a CBI probe, protocols for rallies, and enhanced victim compensation. It declined a CBI probe, recorded the State’s assurance that no rallies will be allowed on highways until SOPs are framed, and directed the constitution of an SIT led by senior IPS officer Asra Garg.
Justice Jothiraman reserved orders on the anticipatory bail petitions of Anand and Nirmal Kumar.
(With inputs from Live Law)
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