Supreme Court Casts Doubt: Was it a Stampede or Just a 'Rush and Push' at Actor Vijay's Rally?

In a development that has put the spotlight firmly on public event safety and official accountability, the Supreme Court has voiced strong skepticism regarding a Special Investigation Team's (SIT) report. The report controversially concluded that no stampede occurred at a large gathering organized by Tamil actor Vijay in Karur, Tamil Nadu, despite multiple reports of injuries.

The incident, which took place on July 17, 2023, involved thousands of eager fans and students converging at an event where actor Vijay was distributing prizes.

Chaos quickly ensued, leading to what many eyewitnesses and media outlets described as a stampede, resulting in at least 13 individuals sustaining injuries, with six even requiring hospital treatment.

An advocate, V Prabhakaran, subsequently filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) calling for a thorough CBI investigation, arguing that the official findings were inadequate.

In response to a Madras High Court directive, the SIT was constituted. Its contentious report, however, characterized the incident merely as a "rush and push" rather than a stampede, leading to the current judicial scrutiny.

The apex court, specifically Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra, appeared unconvinced by the SIT's classification.

Justice Roy critically questioned the distinction: "If 13 people are injured, six hospitalized, you are saying no stampede? What is the definition of a stampede?" This pointed query highlights the Court's concern about the criteria used to dismiss the serious nature of the incident and the potential implications for public safety norms.

V Ragupathy, representing the petitioner, vehemently argued that the SIT's report was nothing short of a "cover-up." He presented compelling evidence, including photographs and videos from the scene, which depicted severe overcrowding and individuals clearly in distress or injured.

Ragupathy further alleged that the event, orchestrated by actor Vijay's fan club, proceeded without the necessary permissions and critically lacked adequate crowd control measures, creating a dangerous environment.

On the other hand, Additional Advocate General V Arun, representing the Tamil Nadu government, defended the SIT's findings.

He assured the bench that the investigation was exhaustive, involving detailed statements from approximately 80 individuals, all of whom, according to the government, corroborated the "no stampede" conclusion.

Unswayed by the conflicting accounts, the Supreme Court has now demanded a comprehensive medical report detailing the injuries sustained by the individuals and a precise assessment of the arrangements made for the event.

The Court emphasized that a judicious decision could only be made after thoroughly understanding the exact nature of the incident and the preparedness of the organizers. This ongoing legal battle underscores the critical importance of robust safety protocols and transparent investigations at large public gatherings, particularly those involving high-profile personalities.