DMK Knocks on Supreme Court’s Door Over Vijay’s Karur Visit, Seeks Gag Order on Ministers in Stampede Probe

New Delhi: The political and legal battle surrounding the Karur stampede case has taken another dramatic turn, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) approaching the Supreme Court seeking restrictions on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, Minister Aadhav Arjuna, and other accused individuals from making public statements about the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

The fresh application has been filed by DMK Organising Secretary RS Bharathi, who has sought to intervene in the ongoing proceedings related to the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives and left 142 people injured during a public gathering organised by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in September 2025.

DMK Wants Court to Prevent Public Statements

According to the plea, the investigation into the deadly stampede is still underway and is being closely monitored by a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi. Bharathi argued that individuals who are either accused or connected with the case should not publicly discuss the investigation or attempt to shape public perception while the CBI continues its work.

The application specifically seeks directions restraining Chief Minister Vijay, Aadhav Arjuna, Bussy Anand, CTR Nirmal Kumar, and others named in the case from commenting on issues related to criminal liability or the merits of the investigation.

The DMK has maintained that allowing influential public figures to make statements during an active investigation could undermine the fairness and independence of the court-monitored probe.

Controversy Over Minister Aadhav Arjuna’s Remarks

A significant part of the petition focuses on remarks allegedly made by Minister Aadhav Arjuna on July 2, 2026. According to the application, the minister reportedly claimed that there was “a score to settle” regarding the Karur tragedy and accused the previous DMK government of causing the deaths through police action.

Bharathi argued that such comments could influence public opinion and potentially interfere with witnesses connected to the investigation. The application further states that a separate contempt petition is also being planned against the minister over these remarks.

The plea contends that individuals holding constitutional or executive office must exercise restraint, particularly when criminal proceedings are pending before the courts.

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Objection to Vijay’s Proposed Karur Visit

The DMK has also objected to reports suggesting that Chief Minister Vijay is expected to visit Karur around July 10 to distribute government assistance, compassionate appointments, and welfare benefits to the families affected by the tragedy.

While the petition makes it clear that it does not oppose financial assistance or welfare measures for victims, it argues that direct interaction between those connected to the case and the victims’ families could create concerns regarding the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

According to the application, many of the affected families are considered material witnesses in the CBI probe. Therefore, any official engagement with them during the investigation should take place only after consultation with the investigating agency.

Reference to Earlier Compensation

The plea also highlights that shortly after the tragedy in October 2025, Vijay had announced financial relief of ₹20 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and ₹2 lakh for every injured person while criminal proceedings related to the incident were already underway.

Although the application acknowledges the government’s responsibility to provide relief, it argues that future welfare measures should be carried out in a manner that does not create any apprehension about influencing witnesses.

Background of the Karur Stampede

The Karur stampede occurred during a large public meeting organised by TVK on September 27, 2025. The incident quickly became one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest political gathering disasters.

Preliminary findings by the state reportedly cited several factors behind the tragedy, including underestimation of the expected crowd, mobilisation of supporters beyond permitted numbers, delayed arrival of Vijay, inadequate public facilities, failure to follow police safety guidelines, and the movement of a campaign vehicle into an already overcrowded venue.

Following public concern over the investigation, the Supreme Court transferred the case to the CBI in October 2025 to ensure an independent inquiry.

CBI Probe Continues

The petition notes that the CBI has already questioned Chief Minister Vijay and several senior TVK leaders as part of its investigation. The agency is continuing to examine evidence and witness statements under the supervision of the court-appointed monitoring committee.

Bharathi has also requested the Supreme Court to direct the CBI to examine whether Aadhav Arjuna’s recent remarks amount to influencing witnesses or obstructing the ongoing investigation.

Awaiting Supreme Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court is now expected to consider the impleadment application along with the pending proceedings related to the Karur stampede case. The outcome could have significant implications not only for the ongoing investigation but also for the conduct of political leaders while criminal inquiries remain active.

With the CBI probe still in progress and political tensions rising in Tamil Nadu, the court’s decision is likely to be closely watched by both legal experts and political observers.