SC to Hear DMK Plea Alleging Witness Influence in Karur Stampede Probe

The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alleging that ministers in the current Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government are interfering with witnesses in the investigation of last year's Karur stampede. The DMK contends that the fairness of the court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe has been compromised since the accused have assumed ministerial positions.

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Some of the accused in the case have now become Ministers. They are influencing witnesses. There is serious apprehension that this will influence the ongoing probe.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the DMK Rajya Sabha MP RS Bharathi, informed the court that the TVK government's ascent to power in Tamil Nadu has jeopardized the investigation into the September 27, 2025, stampede. Ahmadi expressed serious apprehension that these actions would influence the ongoing probe, noting that "some of the accused in the case have now become Ministers. They are influencing witnesses."

The stampede, which occurred during a rally addressed by TVK president C Joseph Vijay, now the chief minister, resulted in 41 fatalities and left more than 100 individuals injured. The DMK's plea highlights that the TVK government has proposed distributing government jobs and other benefits to the families of the stampede victims, while ministers implicated in the case have made public statements that could undermine the investigation.

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Now, after coming to power, the State government proposes to extend further benefits, including compassionate appointments and other welfare measures, to the same families, who are also material witnesses in the CBI investigation.

The application describes the situation as an "extraordinary circumstance," emphasizing that the State government's proposal to extend benefits, including compassionate appointments, to families who are also material witnesses could create an apprehension of bias. The DMK clarified it does not oppose compensation for victims' families but insists such measures should be implemented with safeguards directed by the Supreme Court to ensure the investigative process remains fair and independent.

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In these exceptional circumstances, where the investigation is still pending, any direct interaction with such material witnesses by persons connected with the subject matter of the investigation or by the political executive presently in office, particularly while distributing benefits arising out of the very incident under investigation, has the potential to give rise to an apprehension, whether real or perceived, regarding the fairness and independence of the investigative process.