The Supreme Court has transferred the investigation into the Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives during a TVK rally on 27 September 2025, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), observing that comments made by senior Tamil Nadu police officers before the media may create doubts about the impartiality of the ongoing probe by the State’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).
“Looking to the political undertone of the case and the fact that, without having regard to the gravity of the incident, the comments made before the media by top officers of the Police Department may create doubt in the minds of the citizenry on impartiality and fair investigation,” the bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice NV Anjarao said in its order.
The Court noted that petitioners had raised concerns that an investigation conducted by the same police force, whose top officials had publicly exonerated their subordinates, “would lack the element of fairness and impartiality.” The Bench added, “Prima facie, this fact in itself creates a doubt in the minds of the general public about the independence and impartiality of the investigation.”
Describing the tragedy as one that “has definitely left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country,” the Court said that with 41 people dead and over 100 injured, the incident raises questions regarding the fundamental rights of victims’ families and demands a “fair, independent and credible investigation.” The Bench emphasized, “The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored in the criminal justice system, and one way to instill such trust is by ensuring that the investigation is completely impartial, independent and unbiased.”
Invoking its extraordinary powers to ensure public confidence, the Court issued interim directions transferring the investigation of FIR No. 855/2025, registered at Karur Town Police Station, to the CBI. “The Director, CBI, shall appoint a senior officer to take charge of the case and form a team to assist in the investigation,” the Court said. The Superintendent of Police and SHO of Karur Town PS, along with the SIT constituted by the High Court and the Enquiry Commission set up by the Chief Minister, have been directed to hand over all case records, evidence, and digital material to the CBI immediately.
Additionally, the Supreme Court formed a three-member Supervisory Committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi and two senior IPS officers (to be chosen by Justice Rastogi), to monitor the CBI probe.
Highlighting the constitutional importance of fair investigation, the Court said, “There cannot be any doubt that fair investigation is the right of a citizen.”
The stampede occurred during a TVK rally in Karur, resulting in 41 deaths and injuries to over 100 persons. The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) had earlier refused to order a CBI investigation, prompting multiple petitions in the Supreme Court. TVK had approached the Court challenging the Madras High Court Chennai Bench’s order constituting an SIT of only Tamil Nadu officers to probe the incident.
(Source: Live Law)
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