The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has filed an impleadment application before the Supreme Court in the Karur stampede case, contending that public statements by a Tamil Nadu Cabinet Minister accused in the matter — and a proposed government benefit distribution to victims' families — risk prejudicing the court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. The application was filed by R.S. Bharathi, Organising Secretary of the DMK, on 3 July.

Background: The Karur Stampede

The case stems from a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally on 27 September 2025 in Karur, during which a stampede killed 41 people and injured 142 others. The Supreme Court had earlier transferred the investigation to the CBI, placing it under the supervision of a committee headed by retired apex court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, after expressing concern over the handling of the matter by the Madras High Court and remarking that 'something is wrong' with the proceedings.

What the DMK Alleges

The impleadment plea takes specific aim at a speech delivered on 2 July by Tamil Nadu Public Works and Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna, who is himself an accused in the case. According to the application, the Minister publicly declared there was 'a score to settle' and attributed responsibility for the Karur deaths to the previous DMK government.

The plea argues that such statements by a sitting Cabinet Minister facing active investigation are 'wholly impermissible during the pendency of the investigation and are liable to prejudice the fairness of the ongoing process monitored by this Hon'ble Court.' The application further alleges the speech is 'intended to interfere with the investigation of CBI appointed by this Hon'ble Court and calculated to create a public perception that DMK and its leadership is responsible for the incident for political gains.'

Concern Over Benefit Distribution to Victims' Families

The DMK's plea also flags media reports indicating that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is likely to visit Karur on 10 July to distribute government benefits — including compassionate appointments — to the families of those who died in the stampede. While the party clarified it has 'no objection whatsoever to the State Government extending ex gratia assistance, compassionate appointments or any other welfare measures,' it argued that victims' families are material witnesses in the CBI inquiry.

Direct interaction with them by persons connected with the subject matter, the plea contended, 'has the potential to give rise to an apprehension, whether real or perceived, regarding the fairness and independence of the investigative process.'

Prior Conduct and the Ministerial Conflict

The application recalled that even before assuming office, Vijay had allegedly distributed ₹20 lakh each to families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh each to the injured while criminal proceedings were still pending. It also highlighted that following the 2026 Assembly elections, several persons accused in the stampede case — including Vijay and senior TVK leaders — now hold ministerial positions in the Tamil Nadu government, creating what the plea describes as an 'extraordinary situation.'

Relief Sought and Next Steps

The DMK has urged the Supreme Court to direct that, pending completion of the CBI investigation, no person connected with the case should interact with material witnesses while distributing benefits linked to the incident — except in a manner approved by the court and, if deemed appropriate, after obtaining the CBI's views. The application also indicated that a separate plea seeking contempt proceedings against Minister Aadhav Arjuna over his public remarks would be filed shortly. The matter is expected to come up for hearing before the Supreme Court bench overseeing the probe.