Madras High Court denies anticipatory bail to TVK leaders in Karur stampede case

The Madras High Court on Friday denied anticipatory bail to two Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leaders in connection with the stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district, which left 41 persons dead, Bar and Bench reported.

Justice M Jothiraman of the Madurai bench denied TMK General Secretary N Anand and Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar’s pleas, citing the “nature and gravity of the offences involved”.

The court added that the investigation was at a preliminary stage and that persons injured in the incident were still receiving medical care, the legal news outlet reported.

The judge noted that the facts presented in the case “disturbed the conscience of the court”, and observed that the organisers and police had crucial roles in what he described as a grave incident, The Hindu reported.

The stampede took place on September 27 at Veluchamy Puram in Karur, shortly after 7.30 pm, when Vijay was addressing supporters from his campaign vehicle.

Several of those who attended the rally fainted due to overcrowding. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief’s speech was interrupted twice as ambulances were brought in to take those who collapsed.

Among those who died were 18 women and nine children.

According to the prosecution, the party’s Karur West District Secretary VP Mathiyazhagan had sought permission to hold the rally between 3 pm and...

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