Karur stampede: Court gives Tamil Nadu 10 days to frame SOP for political rallies

The Madras High Court, while hearing matters related to the Karur stampede, on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within 10 days for granting permission to political parties and organisations seeking to hold public meetings in the state.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, hearing petitions related to the Karur stampede case, said that permissions for political meetings should be processed well in advance to ensure public safety and law and order, Live Law reported.

The court observed that authorities must grant permission a few days before the event, allowing organisers adequate time to mobilise resources and comply with safety guidelines. “All this is intended to take care of public safety and law and order. Come out with an SOP, otherwise we will issue directions,” the Chief Justice told Additional Advocate General J Ravindran.

The bench clarified that the pendency of these petitions should not be treated as an impediment for considering applications to conduct political meetings, except in cases where the venue sought is located on state or national highways.

The court also permitted political parties, including the AIADMK, to submit their suggestions on the SOP by November 11.

Meanwhile, the bench disposed of a petition filed by BJP councillor Uma Anandan seeking a CBI probe into the Karur stampede incident, noting that the Supreme Court has already issued directions in the matter.

The Karur stampede, which occurred on September 27 during a rally organised by actor Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), claimed 41 lives and left over 60 people injured. The incident was widely seen as a case of crowd mismanagement and administrative failure, prompting calls for clearer safety protocols for political gatherings.

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