Karur stampede: TVK moves Supreme Court against Madras HC order that condemned it and ordered SIT probe

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has filed a plea before the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's October 3 order which harshly criticised the party's officials over a stampede that took place at one of its rallies in Karur [Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam v. PH Dinesh]. .41 people died in the stampede which broke out after crowds gathered to see actor-turned-politician and TVK founder Vijay speak during a political rally on September 27 at Karur.On October 3, Justice N Senthilkumar passed an order directing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter, after expressing that the State's investigation into the case so far has not been up to mark. .This, after the single-judge noted that the State was yet to register any criminal case in respect of two accidents that allegedly involved collisions with Vijay's bus amid the stampede. Notably, Vijay was not named in any FIR registered after the stampede. However, following the High Court's October 3 order, a criminal case has reportedly been filed against the driver of Vijay's campaign vehicle in connection with the two hit-and-run incidents flagged by the High Court. .The High Court's October 3 order was passed on a petition that sought the introduction of a standard operating protocol (SOP) to be followed during road shows."This Court cannot close its eyes, remain a mute spectator, and shrink from its constitutional responsibilities," Justice Senthilkumar had said while ordering the SIT probe.The High Court also strongly criticised the TVK leadership for its conduct after the stampede unfolded.This single-judge order has now been challenged by the TVK before the Supreme Court. The appeal has been filed through Advocate Yash S Vijay..Interestingly, the single-judge order was passed shortly after a Division Bench of the High Court's seat at Madurai had refused to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter.The Division Bench had reasoned that the State's investigation into the case was at a nascent stage. It also observed that none of the petitioners before it were directly affected by the stampede.Since then, a stampede victim's father has moved the Supreme Court with a plea to transfer the investigation to the CBI. The top court yesterday hinted that it may hear this plea on October 10.Notably, one Advocate GS Mani has also now filed a plea before the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the stampede. The Madras High Court's Division Bench had earlier dismissed his petition, among others, on October 3.