In a scathing judgment, the Madras High Court came down heavily on actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay for his conduct during a deadly stampede that occurred at his political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on 27th September. The tragedy claimed the lives of 41 people, including women and children, and left many injured.
During the hearing on 3rd October, Justice N. Senthilkumar condemned Vijay and his political party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), for fleeing the scene and failing to offer any public statement or expression of regret. “This Court strongly condemns the conduct of Mr Vijay, the organisers of the event and the members of the political party for fleeing from the scene of occurrence immediately after the mishaps,” the judge remarked.
The court also highlighted the party’s lack of basic accountability and human empathy, stating that there had been no official communication from TVK—on social media or otherwise—acknowledging the incident or taking responsibility. “This omission reflects the political party’s disregard for human life and public accountability,” the court noted.
The stampede reportedly broke out due to a massive crowd gathered for Vijay’s campaign, which was poorly managed. Two additional accidents occurred during the rally when vehicles, including Vijay’s campaign bus, collided amid the chaos. However, the court observed that the state authorities failed to register an FIR regarding these specific incidents, and Vijay himself was not named in any of the police reports.
The High Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigation, describing the state’s response as inadequate. It criticized the government for not initiating a suo motu FIR, even in the absence of a formal complaint, and stressed that it was the state’s responsibility to ensure justice.
In response, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under Inspector General of Police (North Zone) Asra Garg, with other senior officers, to probe the incident thoroughly.
The case has also spurred legal calls for a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for political rallies and roadshows to prevent such tragedies in the future. The High Court’s remarks have triggered widespread public and political debate over the responsibilities of public figures during emergencies, especially when human lives are at stake.