The Supreme Court on Monday directed a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the September 27 Karur stampede case, as it remarked that the citizens had the right to a fair and impartial
probe into the case.
In its order, pronounced by Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria, the court also set up a three-member panel headed by former Supreme Court Justice Ajay Rastogi.
Further, the court asked Justice Rastogi to pick two Indian Police Officers who would monitor the CBI probe into the case.
The order by the top court came days after it heard the petitions filed by Tamil actor Vijay’s political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and others, seeking an independent probe into the Karur stampede case, as the party challenged the Madras High Court direction for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
“Looking at the facts, the issue has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens. The directions are to hand over the investigation to the CBI,” the court remarked.
“There can’t be a doubt that a fair and impartial investigation is the right of the citizens,” it said.
“In order to allay the concern of parties, we propose to set up a three-member committee. We have requested Justice Ajay Rastogi to head the committee,” the court said.
It added that two officers of the IPS, who may be of the Tamil Nadu cadre but not natives of the state, will be part of the panel.
The court further directed that the committee shall devise its own procedure as per the directions of the retired judge. The CBI has been ordered to submit a monthly report of the investigation before the panel, it said.
KARUR STAMPEDE CASE: THE PLEAS
In its plea, Vijay’s party TVK had sought an investigation monitored by a retired Supreme Court judge, while BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, GS Mani, had sought a CBI investigation.
The TVK had also sought the expunging of adverse remarks made against the party and its leaders by the Madras High Court.
On Friday, the Supreme Court had reserved its order on the plea filed by TVK and others, challenging the Madras High Court order directing that an SIT be constituted to probe the Karur stampede in which 41 people were killed.
The bench had heard submissions from senior counsels appearing for the party, victims, Tamil Nadu government and others.
Earlier last week, the CJI-headed bench agreed to hear BJP leader Uma Anandan’s plea challenging the high court order refusing a CBI probe into the September 27 stampede.
The TVK has sought an independent investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court, contending that a fair and impartial probe would not be possible if conducted solely by officers of the Tamil Nadu Police.
The plea had objected to the high court constituting a special investigation team (SIT) only with officers of the Tamil Nadu Police.
It alleged the possibility of a pre-planned conspiracy by some miscreants that led to the stampede.
The plea also took exception to the scathing remarks of the high court against the party and the actor-politician, that they abandoned the place after the incident and did not express any remorse.
Earlier, the police said the rally saw a turnout of 27,000, nearly three times the expected 10,000 participants, and blamed a seven-hour delay by Vijay in reaching the venue for the tragedy.
