CBI probe into Karur stampede

FAULTED | Apex court questioned the propriety of Madras HC bench acting without proper jurisdiction

- HD Bureau

The Supreme Court on Monday mandated a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the Karur stampede during the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally, which claimed at least 41 lives.

The Court ordered the constitution of a three-member supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi to oversee the investigation. It also directed that the committee include two Indian Police Service officers from the Tamil Nadu cadre who are not natives of the state.

A bench comprising Justices J. K. Maheshwari and N. V. Anjaria delivered the order after hearing multiple petitions contesting prior directions from the Madras High Court.

The Supreme Court took issue with two conflicting judgments from different benches of the High Court regarding whether to order a Special Investigation Team or defer to a CBI-led inquiry.

The apex court questioned the procedural propriety of the Madras High Court's approach, especially the move by the Chennai bench, which had reportedly acted without proper jurisdiction.