The DMK has withdrawn its Supreme Court application seeking to intervene in the CBI investigation into the 2025 Karur stampede. The court cautioned against using the judiciary as a political platform after the party challenged public statements made by rival political figures.
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday permitted the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to withdraw a plea filed in relation to the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede incident. The tragedy, which occurred during a rally organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in 2025, resulted in the loss of 41 lives and left 142 individuals injured.
Judicial Observations on the Plea
The DMK's application sought to intervene in the legal proceedings, specifically requesting that the court restrain TVK ministers, including Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and minister Aadhav Arjuna, from making public comments that could impact the investigation. The party also expressed concerns regarding the process of distributing welfare benefits to the families of the victims, arguing that these families were material witnesses in the case.
A bench led by Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Alok Aradhe expressed skepticism regarding the petition. The justices questioned the standing of a political rival seeking impleadment in a judicial investigation, pointedly asking how the Supreme Court could be utilized as a forum for political disputes. Following these observations, the bench advised the DMK’s counsel to withdraw the plea to avoid further complications, noting that the judiciary should not be drawn into political maneuvers.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation into the stampede was previously transferred by the Supreme Court from the Tamil Nadu state police to the CBI to ensure an impartial inquiry. A special three-member committee, chaired by former judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, was appointed to oversee the agency's progress. The DMK's plea, submitted by organizing secretary R.S. Bharathi, had specifically cited remarks made by minister Aadhav Arjuna on July 2, 2026, which the party alleged were an attempt to deflect responsibility or implicate political opponents.
With the court granting the request to withdraw, the DMK has signaled its intention to pursue other legal avenues if necessary. The TVK’s defense, led by senior advocates Neeraj Kishan Kaul and Menaka Guruswamy, contested the intervention. For observers and the families of the victims, the central focus remains the progress of the CBI inquiry and the findings of the Justice Ajay Rastogi-led committee, which are critical to determining accountability for the 2025 incident.