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Will TVK leader Vijay face CBI? SC to hear BJP's plea over Karur stampede on Oct 10

Supreme Court to hear BJP's plea for a CBI probe into the Karur stampede tragedy that claimed 41 lives at actor Vijay's rally. Madras High Court earlier dismissed a similar demand

(File) An ambulance carrying victims makes its way through the crowd following a stampede that broke out during a political rally in the Karur district | AFP

The Supreme Court will hear a plea seeking probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation over the tragic Karur stampede later this week. The Madras High Court had dismissed a similar plea earlier.

Hearing the plea moved by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Anandan, a bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran took note of the plea and said they would consider it on October 10. The Madras High Court had earlier dismissed a plea seeking a CBI probe. 

As many as 41 people died in the tragic stampede at Karur during actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay's rally on September 27. Thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the popular Kollywood star, leading to a stampede. The deceased include 10 children. 

Earlier, while hearing multiple pleas over the tragic incident, the Madras High Court came down heavily on the actor and the party. The court observed that the party and its leader lacked remorse. 

The Madras High Court appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The Tamil Nadu government has also appointed a single-judge commission to probe the incident. The Tamil Nadu police has booked cases against Karur functionaries of TVK, secretaries 'Bussy' N. Anand and C.T.R. Nirmalkumar over the incident. 

The High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas moved by party secretaries. Police have also registered case against Vijay's driver and his campaign vehicle for road accidents en route rally.