The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 7 July 2025 declined to entertain a plea filed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) seeking directions to restrain leaders of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) — including Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Minister Aadhav Arjuna — from making public statements that could allegedly influence witnesses in the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede case. The bench, led by Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe, expressed its disinclination to hear the application, prompting the DMK to withdraw it with liberty to pursue other legal remedies.

What the Court Said

The bench was unambiguous in its reluctance. 'This application, you are better advised to not press here. We are inclined to dismiss this application,' Justice Viswanathan observed during the hearing. Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the applicant, then sought permission to withdraw with liberty to avail other remedies. The apex court recorded the withdrawal formally, noting in its order: 'He seeks to withdraw this application to pursue such other remedies as may be applicable to the applicant. We dismiss the application as withdrawn as per the above terms.'

What DMK Had Sought

The application was filed by DMK Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi, who sought to be impleaded in the pending proceedings before the apex court relating to the Karur stampede. The plea had two primary prayers: directions restraining TVK leaders from making public statements connected to the case until the court-monitored CBI investigation concluded, and registration of an FIR against Minister Aadhav Arjuna.

The DMK alleged that public statements by Arjuna — who is himself an accused in the case — along with the proposed distribution of government benefits to victims' families, could prejudice the ongoing investigation and influence material witnesses.

The July 2 Speech and Its Implications

Central to the application was a speech delivered by Aadhav Arjuna on 2 July 2025, in which, according to the plea, the Minister publicly declared there was 'a score to settle' and blamed the previous DMK government for the Karur tragedy — this despite being under investigation himself. The DMK contended such statements were liable to compromise the fairness of the court-monitored CBI probe.

The plea also flagged reports that Chief Minister Vijay was likely to visit Karur to distribute government benefits, including compassionate appointments, to the families of those who died in the stampede. While the DMK stated it had no objection to welfare measures per se, it argued that direct interaction between persons connected to the case and families who are material witnesses could raise apprehensions about the independence of the investigative process.

Background: The Karur Stampede and CBI Transfer

The case stems from the 27 September 2025 stampede during a TVK rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, in which 41 people lost their lives and 142 others were injured. The Supreme Court had earlier transferred the investigation to the CBI under the supervision of a committee headed by former apex court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, after expressing concern over how the matter was being handled. The court had notably observed that 'something is wrong' with the proceedings before the Madras High Court.

The DMK's failed attempt to secure a gag order now pushes the party toward alternative legal forums, even as the CBI probe continues under judicial oversight.