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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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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