Chennai, October 27, 2025 — The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within 10 days for the conduct of political meetings and rallies in the state, following the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives and injured over 50 others during a political rally in September.

The directive was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan, while hearing a batch of petitions seeking better regulation of public gatherings to prevent such disasters in the future. The court emphasised the need for clear, actionable guidelines to ensure public safety while balancing the fundamental right of political parties to hold meetings and rallies.

Background: The Karur Tragedy

The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a rally organized by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief and actor Vijay in Karur district. The event turned tragic as a massive crowd surge led to the death of 41 individuals and injuries to over 50 others, raising serious concerns about crowd management, safety protocols, and police supervision during political events.

Following the incident, multiple petitions were filed in the Madras High Court, urging the state government to implement standardized procedures for rallies and political meetings, ensuring that such large gatherings do not endanger lives.

Court Directions and SOP Timeline

The High Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame an SOP within 10 days, establishing comprehensive rules for conducting political events safely. The SOP is expected to outline:

• Crowd management measures for rallies and meetings.
• Roles and responsibilities of police and local authorities.
• Emergency response protocols.
• Permissions and clearances required prior to holding events.

The court also allowed other political parties, including AIADMK, to submit their suggestions and recommendations on the SOP by November 11, 2025, ensuring a participatory process in formulating safety norms.

TVK party advocate Arivazhagan stated, “The High Court clarified that until the SOP is finalized, political parties can make applications to the police for conducting rallies or meetings, and the police are empowered to grant permission based on the event’s specifics.”

Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe

The Supreme Court of India has already mandated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede. A three-member monitoring committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, has been established to oversee the investigation and ensure it is conducted independently and impartially.

This dual approach — forming SOPs for preventive measures and a detailed CBI probe — aims to address both the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy and the accountability of responsible individuals.

Compensation and Political Response

In the wake of the tragedy, TVK Chief Vijay met with families of the victims in Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram). The party has also transferred ₹20 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives, reflecting efforts to provide immediate relief.

The incident has reignited debates on the safety of mass gatherings during political events, especially in light of Tamil Nadu’s vibrant political culture where large rallies are common. Civil society and activists have called for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and timely implementation of guidelines.

Key Takeaways

1. Madras High Court Directive: Tamil Nadu government must create SOP for political meetings and rallies within 10 days.
2. Public Participation: Other parties can submit suggestions by November 11, 2025.
3. CBI Investigation: Supreme Court orders probe into the stampede with oversight from a three-member committee.
4. Victim Support: TVK has provided ₹20 lakh in compensation to affected families.
5. Interim Measures: Police can continue granting permissions for political events even before SOP finalization.

The court’s directive signals a proactive approach to prevent future tragedies while respecting the democratic rights of political organizations. The combination of SOPs, compensation for victims, and an independent investigation sets a precedent for accountability and public safety in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

This development is likely to influence how political rallies are organized across the state, ensuring stricter adherence to safety norms and minimizing the risk of stampedes and crowd-related accidents in the future.