SIT probe will unravel truth on Karur stampede, says TN Chief Minister MK Stalin
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up on the basis of the order of the Madras High Court will begin its probe into the Karur stampede and the investigation will bring out the truth in its entirety and fix accountability at all levels.
Appealing against political blame game over the Karur tragedy based on political motives, the chief minister said Standard Operating Procedure would be formulated to prevent stampedes.
He said the Tamil Nadu government is working by paying attention to all the guidelines and opinions of the High Court on the Karur tragedy.
"All of us have been shaken by the tragedy that unfolded in Karur," the chief minister said in a social media post adding he was saddened by seeing the tears of every family grieving the loss of their loved ones.
The Special Investigation Team that has been set up based on the order of the High Court will launch its investigation.
Stalin said he assures the people in his capacity as the chief minister that "through this investigation, the whole truth will be brought out and accountability will be fixed at all levels."
Tamil Nadu, a model for the rest of the country in many fields, will guide the nation in averting stampedes too.
"We will formulate a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in consultation with stakeholders."
Domain experts, representatives of political parties, activists, and the general public across the state would be consulted.
"This will become a model (to prevent stampedes) that can be followed by the entire country, not only by Tamil Nadu."
Against the backdrop of the tragedy, "let us journey towards a long-term solution without blaming one another with political motives."
Underlining that every life is precious, the CM said he welcomed ideas and suggestions towards the collective effort to prevent stampedes by formulating SOP.
"Let us unite to save the lives of our people and prevent such a tragedy from happening again, not only in Tamil Nadu, but anywhere in India!"
The Madras High Court on October 3, 2025 ordered setting up a Special Investigation Team under senior IPS officer Asra Garg to probe the September 27 stampede during actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur that killed 41 persons and left over 60 injured.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rupee falls 11 paise to 94.27 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 11 paise to 94.27 against US dollar in early trade on Monday driven by persistent dollar demand and a broader shift toward safe-haven assets.
Forex traders said the Indian rupee has hit a rough patch, falling for five consecutive sessions, weighed down by a combination of factors such as the RBI loosening its grip on currency rules and rising oil prices caused by global tensions.
Moreover, investors are becoming cautious again, with foreign institutions pulling money out of the market after a brief period of buying amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
At the interbank foreign exchange market the rupee opened at 94.25 against the US dollar, then lost some ground and touched 94.27 against the US dollar in initial trade, registering a fall of 11 paise over its previous close. On Friday, the rupee had settled at 94.16 against the American currency.
ALSO READ: Death toll in Mundathikode fireworks explosion rises to 16
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was down 0.09 per cent at 98.44.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 1.16 per cent at USD 106.55 per barrel in futures trade.
A mix of softer economic signals and renewed, even if fragile, hopes of diplomacy pulled the dollar lower again, CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari said, adding that for Rupee, on one hand, a softer dollar offers relief. On the other, uncertainty remains the dominant force.
Meanwhile, India’s forex reserves have crossed USD 703 billion as of April 17, reflecting a consistent build-up of buffers.
"For now, the rupee continues to lean toward gradual weakness. Uncertainty remains the dominant force, shaping both global flows and local reactions," Pabari said.
He further noted that any dips are likely to be bought into, with the 92.80–93.20 zone acting as a strong support. On the upside, 93.50 to 94.50 is expected to define the near-term range.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading 518.96 points or 0.68 per cent higher at 77,183.17, while the broader Nifty was trading up 131.30 points or 0.55 per cent at 24,029.25.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 8,827.87 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
