The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticised the DMK over its petition seeking restrictions on the speeches and movements of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and the ruling Tamila Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in connection with the September 2025 Karur stampede case.
A bench comprising Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe expressed strong displeasure over the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's plea, questioning why the court was being asked to intervene in matters involving a political leader's public activities.
"What exactly are you trying to say? You want the Supreme Court to dictate what a chief minister should do?" the court asked incredulously. "Chief Minister Vijay is not an accused."
The bench also questioned the request to restrict political expression, asking, "You want injunction on free speech? You make your own speech… how does the Supreme Court, in a matter where the CBI has been appointed to investigate, give orders against a political rival's statement?"
The remarks were directed at DMK General Secretary RS Bharathi during the hearing. Following the court's observations, the DMK sought permission to withdraw its plea, which the court allowed.
Earlier, the party's counsel had argued that "a narrative is being built by those accused".
The Supreme Court had on Monday agreed to hear the petition on an urgent basis after the DMK raised concerns that Vijay and members of the TVK, the actor-politician's newly formed party that secured an unexpected victory in the April-May election, could potentially influence witnesses linked to the investigation.
The concern was raised in relation to Vijay's proposed visit to Karur on July 10.
The DMK argued that the chief minister's planned interaction, which is expected to include the distribution of job appointment letters and financial assistance to families of those who died in the stampede, could be perceived as an attempt to influence witnesses who may be involved in the ongoing probe being conducted by the CBI.
The opposition party had also objected to remarks made by TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna on July 2. He allegedly said that "there is a score to settle" over the Karur stampede and accused the DMK, which was in power when the incident occurred, of having "killed (the people of) Karur through the police".
The Karur stampede case relates to the September incident in Tamil Nadu's Karur district, where 41 people died after a massive crowd gathered for Vijay's campaign speech. The tragedy triggered widespread criticism against the actor-turned-politician and his party.
In March, Vijay, who was then a chief ministerial candidate, appeared before the CBI for a third round of questioning. The central agency had taken over the investigation a month after the incident following directions from the Supreme Court. A TVK source had told NDTV at the time: "Our leader will cooperate with the investigation. We hope this will bring out the truth."
The DMK has maintained before the court that the tragedy resulted from a series of "reckless and uncoordinated actions" by TVK organisers and party workers. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Police, citing the original First Information Report accessed by NDTV, had alleged that a "deliberate display of political power" by Vijay contributed to the deaths of 41 people.
Vijay and the TVK have rejected the allegations and instead claimed that the incident was the result of a "conspiracy" by the DMK.
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