CHENNAI: Criticising actor-politician Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) members for first causing a stampede that killed 41 people in Karur on Sept 27, and then abandoning their cadres and followers, Madras HC ordered a probe by an SIT Friday.Citing two accidents involving Vijay’s campaign vehicle, which did not stop even after dashing against the bikes of his accompanying cadres, HC also ordered registration of a hit-and-run case against the politician. “Both the driver and the leader (Vijay) saw the accident but left the place without stopping… This court highly condemns the attitude of the party (TVK)… There was not even a remote sense of feeling expressed by the party taking responsibility for organising such an event. This only shows the mental state of the leader and the party,” Justice N Senthilkumar said.“The SIT will be headed by Asra Garg, IGP (north zone), and comprise Vimala, SP, Namakkal, & Shyamaladevi, SP. Garg is at liberty to select additional members under any category/designation as he deems fit,” said the judge. All CCTV footage from place of the incident, and in particular footage inside and outside the bus carrying the head of the political party, shall be seized. The bus involved shall also be seized, the court said.“In both cases (campaign vehicle hitting two bikes), police have not registered an FIR for hit-and-run. Court expresses its deep anguish and agony that even if no complaint is filed by the aggrieved, state has suo motu responsibility to register a case, bring the perpetrators of the crime on record, and make them face trial,” Justice Senthilkumar said.“Neither the politician nor his followers were there at the scene of occurrence after the incident. The President, the PM, Union home minister, CM of Tamil Nadu, and leader of opposition condoled the incident. This court could not understand how the political party that organised the rally abandoned the scene of occurrence immediately after the incident,” the judge said.“Unfortunately, the organisers, right from the leader… vanished, leaving their own cadres, leaving their own followers, leaving their own fans in the lurch,” the judge said, adding, “Such irresponsible attitude of any politician or organisation can’t be taken lightly. Court owes its responsibility towards its citizens. It is unfortunate to record such leadership quality.”Court prohibited political rallies, roadshows and similar public events along state and national highways in the state until standard operating procedures were formulated.HC also dismissed the anticipatory bail petitions of two TVK members, state general secretary Bussy N Anand and deputy general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar, who have been named in the FIR in connection with the incident.(With ANI inputs)
