Chief Minister Joseph Vijay not accused in Karur Stampede FIR
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain an application filed by the General Secretray of the DMK seeking to restrain Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, TN Minister Aadhav Arjuna and other accused persons from making public statements in relation to the Karur Stampede, which is being investigated by the CBI, and to regulate their interaction with victims' families during the pendency of the case.
As the partial Court working days bench of justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe expressed disinclination to entertain the matter, the applicant sought to withdraw it. Dismissing the application as withdrawn, the bench granted liberty to the applicant to pursue other remedies available under the law.
The application, filed in the case where Supreme Court last year ordered CBI investigation regarding the Karur Stampede, was urgently moved ahead of the proposed meeting of Chief Minister Vijay with the families of the Stampede victims on July 10 to distribute the ex-gratia compensation and compassionate appointment orders for them.
In today's hearing, senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar, for the DMK secretary, submitted that the TVK Ministers were making public statements which were creating a " narrative" regarding the Stampede case.
Justice Viswanathan observed how the distribution of Rs 10 lakh ex gratia compensation and orders of compassionate appointment for the family members of the Stampede victims will affect the investigation.
