• Source:JND
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Karur Stampede: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the Karur stampeded in Tamil Nadu that killed 41 and left others injured during actor-turned politician Vijay's rally. While hearing a plea by Vijay's party TVK, the apex court also formed a three-member committee to monitor the investigation by the central probe agency. The court ordered that the committee, headed by top court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi will monitor the probe. The apex court also stated that two officers of the Indian Police Officers will be part of the panel; however, they must not be natives of the state, court specified.

"Looking at the facts, the issue has a bearing on the fundamental rights of the citizens. The directions are to handover the investigation to the CBI. In order to allay the concern of parties, we propose to setup a three-member committee. We have requested Justice Ajay Rastogi to head the committee," the apex court stated, reported the Bar and Bench.

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Earlier on Friday, the apex court had questioned the formation of an SIT by the Madras High Court to probe the stampede and wondered how it proceeded with the matter. The court wondered that how did the single bench at Chennai proceed with the matter while the division bench at Madurai was still considering the matter.

The plea, filed through advocates Dixita Gohil, Pranjal Agarwal, and Yash S Vijay, challenges the Madras High Court’s October 3 order directing the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Inspector General of Police to conduct a detailed probe into the incident.

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"The Petitioner-party as well as its leaders are prejudiced by the order which appoints an SIT composed solely of officers of the State Police, especially in the face of the observations of the Hon'ble high court expressing its dissatisfaction with the independence of State Police and its conduct, and prejudicial factual findings against the Petitioner," the plea states.