Karur Stampede: Madras High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To TVK Party Functionaries

The Madras High Court (Madurai bench) on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas moved by two functionaries of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party apprehending arrest in connection with the stampede that took place during the party's rally in Karur last Saturday.

Justice M Jothiraman denied anticipatory bail to party's General Secretary N. Anand @ Bussy Anand and Joint Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar.

Although the official order is yet to be released, the status of the case on the High Court website shows as “dismissed.”

The duo were apprehending arrest for offences under Section 105 [Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder], 110 [attempt to commit culpable homicide], 125(b) [act endangering life or personal safety of others], 223 [disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant] of BNS along with Section 3 [punishment for committing mischief in respect of property] of Tamil Nadu Public Property (prevention of Damage and Loss) Act 1992.

APP A Thiruvadi Kumar, Addl.Advocate General Veera Kathiravan and APP S.Ravi appeared for the State.

The order was reserved by the judge earlier todau, after hearing in detail the counsel appearing for the petitioners as well as the prosecution.

The case of the prosecution is that the party had sought permission to conduct a political meeting on 27th September 2025, between 3pm and 10pm, with an anticipated crowd of 10,000 persons. However, around 25,000 persons gathered at the rally.

Anand and Kumar have argued that they have been falsely implicated in the case merely because of their political position. It has been submitted that they have not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and are innocent in the case.

Read detailed arguments here: Karur Stampede: Madras High Court Reserves Verdict On Pleas By TVK Party Functionaries Seeking Anticipatory Bail

In a related development, earlier today, the principal bench comprising Justice N Senthilkumar refused to grant anticipatory bail to the Namakkal District Secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party, N Satish Kumar in connection with a violence that took place on September 27th, allegedly involving party cadres.

The judge also constituted a SIT headed by Inspector General (IG) of Police Asra Garg to investigate into the Karur Stampede

Case title: N ANAND ALIAS BUSSY ANAND VS THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU CRL OP(MD)/16811/2025 AND CTR. NIRMAL KUMAR v/s STATE OF TAMILNADU REP BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE