The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to restrain Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and other Ministers from making public statements or interacting with the families of the victims of the Karur stampede. The court was hearing a plea filed by the DMK seeking to regulate the visit of actor Vijay to the victims' families.
Court's Response to DMK's Plea
“You want the Chief Minister's visit to be regulated?” the Supreme Court asked the DMK, while refusing to pass any interim order. The bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih, observed that it cannot pass such an order as it would amount to regulating the movement of a public figure.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the DMK, argued that Vijay's visit was politically motivated and aimed at influencing the victims' families. He submitted that the actor, who is also a political aspirant, should not be allowed to meet the families as it could prejudice the investigation.
Background of the Karur Stampede
The Karur stampede occurred on June 28, 2026, during a religious congregation, claiming 12 lives and injuring over 50 people. The incident has sparked a political row, with both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK accusing each other of negligence. Actor Vijay, who has been vocal about social issues, visited the affected families on July 2, drawing criticism from the DMK.
The DMK's plea sought a court order to prevent Vijay from making any public statements or visiting the victims' families, alleging that his actions were interfering with the due process of law. However, the Supreme Court found no merit in the plea, stating that the Chief Minister and other Ministers have the right to express their views and meet the public.
Implications of the Order
Legal experts say the Supreme Court's refusal to intervene sets a precedent that political leaders cannot be barred from visiting disaster victims unless there is clear evidence of obstruction of justice. “The court has rightly held that such visits are part of democratic expression,” said senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.
The DMK government has faced criticism for its handling of the stampede, with opposition parties demanding a judicial inquiry. Meanwhile, Vijay's visit has been seen as a boost to his political ambitions, as he is expected to launch a political party ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
