Overview

• Senior IPS officer Asra Garg was appointed to lead a Special Investigation Team after the court said it could not be a mute spectator to the tragedy that claimed 41 lives.
• A division bench dismissed petitions seeking a CBI probe and directed SOP-related pleas to the principal bench, as the state said no permissions will be given for rallies in non-designated places until guidelines are finalised; parties were told to ensure water, toilets and parking at events.
• Justice N Senthilkumar denied anticipatory bail to TVK district secretary N. Sathish Kumar, citing the party’s failure to control its cadre and damage to public property during the roadshow.
• Government lawyers told the court that nine FIRs have been registered against TVK members, including district secretary Mathiyalagan, with investigations continuing under state police and the newly formed SIT.
• Case records cite overcrowding far beyond the permitted 10,000 as a key factor, while TVK has alleged a police lathi-charge triggered the panic, reflecting sharply conflicting narratives as political sparring intensifies.