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Karur stampede: Slipper thrown at Vijay for criticising DMK strongman Senthil Balaji? TVK levels fresh charge as death toll increases to 41

The TVK has filed a petition in the Madras High Court, demanding an independent probe by the CBI or a SIT, alleging a conspiracy by DMK functionaries led to a stampede that tragically killed 41 people

(File) TVK leader Vijay pauses his speech after a stampede-like situation was witnessed during his rally in Karur | PTI

Slipper was thrown at actor-politician Vijay during the rally in Karur on September 27, after he levelled criticism against former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam minister V. Senthil Balaji, charged Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam after moving a petition in the Madras High Court on Monday.

The TVK moved the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Monday and sought an independent probe into the incident. The petitioners sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The court, however, refused to consider the plea for an urgent hearing and is likely to take up the matter later this week. 

Alleging conspiracy, TVK advocates' wing head Arivazhagan charged Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its functionaries were behind the stampede. Arivazhagan said they have submitted visual evidence along with their petition in court.

Arivazhagan said in their petition, they have urged the court to take steps to protect CCTV footages from the incident place. Alleging Senthil Balaji conspired against the party, Arvizhagan asked while the campaign went ahead smoothly at other places, how did a stampede situation occur in Karur alone. The lawyer also questioned the hurried manner in which the autopsy of the deceased were done.The party has also sought protection for the actor while he visits the residences of the deceased. 

As many as 41 people died in a tragic stampede at Velusamypuram in Karur on Saturday. The deceased include 10 children and 17 women. The death toll, according to sources, is feared to increase as over 50 people are still undergoing treatment at the Karur Medical College Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led state government has ordered a judicial probe into the matter. The state government has formed a single-judge commission and appointed former Madras High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan to conduct a probe into the matter.