The Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee continued its crucial oversight of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the devastating Karur stampede on Wednesday. The panel conducted a detailed site visit to gather first-hand information about the tragedy that claimed 41 lives.
Committee's On-Ground Inspection in Karur
The committee, led by former judge Ajay Rastogi and including IPS officers Sonal Mishra and Sumit Saran, visited the primary site of the incident at Velusamypuram. This is where a massive stampede occurred during a TVK rally on September 27, leading to the fatalities. The visit aimed to understand the ground realities and logistical challenges of the event.
Beyond the main site, the panel also inspected other locations that were initially considered for the rally. These included Lighthouse Corner, Uzhavar Sandhai, and the Karur bus stand. During the inspection, local officials provided explanations for why these alternative venues were ultimately rejected.
Key Appearances and Evidence Collection
The committee's work was supported by the CBI team that has been investigating the case for several weeks. Senior police officials, including Central Zone IG K Joshi Nirmal Kumar and Karur SP Josh Thangaiah, accompanied the panel along with other district administration officials.
In a significant development, five medical officers from the Trichy GH forensic department appeared before the committee. These doctors were specially brought in to conduct post-mortem examinations overnight on September 27, following the stampede. They presented their explanations and findings to the monitoring panel.
The committee also received petitions from members of the public who could not submit them the previous day. This follows Tuesday's session where District Collector M Thangavel, SP Josh Thangaiah, IG Joshi Nirmal Kumar, and other police officials appeared before the panel to provide their accounts.
Ongoing CBI Investigation and Witness Accounts
Over the past few weeks, the CBI team, led by Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Praveen Kumar, has been actively conducting inquiries. The investigative agency has recorded statements from numerous individuals connected to the incident. This includes:
- Family members of the deceased victims.
- State-level functionaries and organizers of the TVK party.
- Other witnesses and officials present during the event.
The Supreme Court committee's role is to ensure a transparent, thorough, and impartial investigation by the CBI into the causes and responsibilities surrounding the tragic stampede. The panel's direct engagement with the site, officials, and medical personnel underscores the seriousness with which the judicial process is addressing this major public safety failure.
