Madras HC Strikes Down Vijay's Order On Jobs For Karur Stampede Victims: 'Will Open Floodgates'

Published 27 July 2026 · india

Madras HC Strikes Down Vijay's Order On Jobs For Karur Stampede Victims: 'Will Open Floodgates' Published By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 17:32 IST Setting

Madras HC Strikes Down Vijay's Order On Jobs For Karur Stampede Victims: 'Will Open Floodgates' Published By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 17:32 IST Setting aside the government order, the court observed that the appointments were "in direct violation of Article 14 and 16 of Constitution." Rapid Read Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. (X) The Madras High Court on Monday struck down the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s decision to provide compassionate appointments to the families of those who lost their lives in the Karur stampede, holding that the move violated constitutional provisions governing public employment. Setting aside the government order, the court observed that the appointments were “in direct violation of Article 14 and 16 of Constitution." “Compassionate appointments for this incident will only open floodgates for various others to seek such employment," the court noted. ‘Chaos Will Reign If Order Implemented’: HC On Karur stampede Stressing the constitutional limits on executive action, the bench observed that the exercise of executive power while issuing such orders must remain within the framework of the Constitution.

The HC further said, “If executive action were to be left unfettered and given free hand, chaos will reign," LiveLaw reported. Highlighting the principles governing public employment, the court remarked, “Public employment is not to be thrown away by state. It has to be earned. Its value has to be realised. Its importance is to be cherished. There are many who wait seeking employment." This comes weeks after the HC allowed the Vijay-led government’s order to provide government jobs to families of the victims. The bench, however, had said that the appointments would be temporary and subject to judicial review. Karur Stampede 41 people, including children, were killed in the stampede during a TVK rally addressed by Vijay in September last year, when the DMK was in power. Police alleged that Vijay’s delayed arrival caused the crowd to exceed the permitted capacity and cited inadequate drinking water, food and toilet facilities as key lapses.

TVK denied the allegations, holding the police responsible for the tragedy. Earlier on July 10, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay visited Karur and participated in a series of government and party programmes, including the distribution of compassionate government job appointment orders to the families of stampede victims. CBI Probes Karur Stampede In October 2025, the Supreme Court transferred the investigation into the Karur stampede from the state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stressing the need for an independent and impartial probe. A bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria also constituted a three-member committee, headed by former SC judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the CBI’s investigation and ensure a fair and unbiased inquiry into the tragedy. The CBI is examining multiple aspects of the incident, including the crowd-management measures in place, the sequence of events leading up to Vijay’s arrival, and the coordination between party organisers and local authorities.