SC stays Madras HC order quashing government jobs for kin of Karur stampede victims

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Madras High Court ruling striking down a Tamil Nadu government order granting government jobs on compassionate grounds to the family members of the persons who died in the Karur stampede, Live Law reported.

The stampede took place on September 27 at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay’s rally in Karur district when he was addressing supporters from his campaign vehicle. Forty-one persons had died in the stampede.

Vijay went on to become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10 after his party became the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran passed the interim order on Friday while issuing notice on a petition filed by the state and others challenging the High Court’s judgement.

The lawyers appearing for the state submitted that the government was within its powers to grant compassionate appointments as a policy decision, the legal news outlet reported.

“A stampede took place. An unfortunate incident happened,” Bar and Bench quoted the court as saying. “The government has decided to compensate them. Should the government not give employment?” it added.

On July 27, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had held that the appointments of the family members of the victims of the stampede violated constitutional provisions pertaining to the right to equality...

Read more