Karur stampede victim’s kin says plea for CBI probe filed without family’s knowledge: Report
Chennai: A fresh controversy has emerged in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede, with two bereaved families claiming that petitions seeking the investigation were filed in their names without their knowledge or consent, The News Minute reported on Monday.
The Supreme Court on October 13 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the Karur stampede, which took place on September 27, 2025, during a rally by actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The incident claimed 41 lives and injured nearly 60 others.
One of the petitions before the Supreme Court was filed by Aadhav Arjuna, TVK’s general secretary (election strategy), seeking to quash the Madras High Court’s order for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident.
Two other petitions, demanding a CBI inquiry, were filed by P. Panneerselvam from Alamarathupatti, who lost his nine-year-old son, Prathik, and P. Selvaraj from Emur Puthur, who lost his wife S. Chandra.
However, in a surprising turn, Chandru, the maternal uncle of Prathik, denied the family's involvement in the petition. He claimed that Panneerselvam had abandoned the family when the child was just one-year-old and had not been in contact for the past eight years.
“My sister Sharmila spoke to Vijay in a video call and he paid his condolences. We did not file any petition in the Supreme Court. We came to know about Panneerselvam’s petition only after police asked about it a few days ago. We have not spoken to Panneerselvam for the past eight years, and he did not attend the funeral as well. We are still in deep grief after losing our child and have no interest in pursuing justice or legal matters”, TNM quoted Chandru as saying.
In a similar claim, Selvaraj, the other reported petitioner, told the media that he had no knowledge of filing a petition in the Supreme Court. “I don’t know the advocate at all. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Emur Panchayat Council leader Balakrishnan asked me to sign some papers. I signed them, but I told him not to misuse them. He said the signatures were for getting compensation and a government job for my elder son. I don’t know anything about this case,” said Selvaraj, a daily wage worker.
VCK Balakrishnan, an advocate and AIADMK functionary, admitted to assisting with the petition but denied any misconduct. “When I was the panchayat president, Selvaraj’s brother Murugesan was a ward member. He approached me seeking help to find out the real reason behind Chandra’s death. That’s why the petition was filed in Selvaraj’s name,” he explained.
“Now, due to pressure, Selvaraj is saying on social media that I deceived him with false promises of a job. But when I took his signature, his brother Murugesan was also present,” TNM quoted Balakrishnan as saying.
Meanwhile, a bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria said the Karur stampede “has a bearing on the fundamental rights of citizens and has shaken the national conscience,” emphasising that a fair and impartial investigation is warranted.
The Court also mentioned that citizens are entitled to a thorough probe and that there cannot be any doubt about the need for an unbiased investigation.
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Govt's reform trajectory will continue with even more vigour in coming times: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government's reform trajectory will continue with even more vigour in the coming times as it is committed to boosting 'Ease of Living'.
The prime minister made this observation on a series of posts by the central government on its various reform initiatives.
"Ours is a Government committed to boosting 'Ease of Living' and this thread below gives examples of how we have worked in that direction. Our reform trajectory will continue with even more vigour in the coming times," Modi said.
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With the hashtags #ReformInAction & #GoodGovernance, the central government said in the posts that the real test of reform is whether it reduces stress for people and 2025 marked a clear shift in governance, with reforms focused on outcomes, not complexity.
Simpler tax laws, faster dispute resolution, modern labour codes, and decriminalised compliance reduced friction for citizens and businesses alike. The emphasis was on trust, predictability, and long-term growth, showing how well-designed policy can quietly improve everyday life, the posts by MyGovIndia said.
For millions of Indians, tax relief became real. Incomes up to Rs 12 lakh attract zero tax. Middle-class families now retain more of what they earn, giving them flexibility to spend, save and invest with greater confidence, it stated.
It said the Income Tax Act, 2025 streamlined compliance and brought clarity, transparency, and fairness to the direct tax system, making it more taxpayer friendly and aligned with today's needs.
Small businesses can now grow without fear of losing benefits. Higher investment and turnover limits allow MSMEs to expand while retaining access to loans and tax incentives. This encourages scaling up, hiring more workers, and building stronger local enterprises
Rural employment now creates assets, not just wages. With extended guaranteed employment and a focus on village infrastructure, rural labour is now building permanent assets that strengthen communities and livelihoods, it said.
It observed that workers no longer need to navigate dozens of laws as 29 labour laws were simplified into four clear codes covering wages, safety, social security, and relations.
Rights are clearer, compliance is easier, and women benefit from assured maternity and workplace protections, it stated.
The government also stated that GST has been made simpler for businesses and consumers alike.
With streamlined tax slabs, easier registration, automated processes, and faster refunds, the next generation of GST reforms is improving ease of doing business.The impact is clear in record Diwali sales of Rs 6.05 trillion and the strongest Navratri shopping in over a decade, it said.
It also said that businesses can now bring products to market faster.
With rationalised Quality Control Orders, Indian manufacturers face lower compliance costs, improved efficiency, and greater strength in global markets. More room to grow for Indian businesses, the government said in the posts.
The expanded definition of small companies reduced compliance burden and costs, allowing enterprises with turnovers up to Rs 100 crore to focus on innovation and expansion, it added.
