CBI team in Karur to begin probe in stampede case

Acting on the Supreme Court’s interim orders, a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrived in Karur to begin the probe into the stampede at a rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Sept. 27. As many as 41 people died in the crowd crush.

The team is led by Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar. An Additional Superintendent of Police and a Deputy Superintendent of Police are part of the team that has been camping in Karur.

Upon arrival, the team held discussions at the Circuit House close to the Collectorate.

Sources said a senior officer, who was part of the Special Investigation Team led by Inspector-General of Police Asra Garg, handed over the documents pertaining to the probe carried out by it on an earlier direction of a single judge of the Madras High Court.

The officer also briefed the CBI officials of the progress of the SIT investigation, which was suspended on the orders of the Supreme Court.

After receiving the details of the case registered by the Karur Town police on Sept. 27, the CBI team is said to have gone through these details and the documents collected by the SIT and the Karur police.

A three-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi, will oversee the CBI probe.