Overview

• The bench of Justices J. K. Maheshwari and N. V. Anjaria asked how a single judge in Chennai ordered an SIT when the Madurai Division Bench had already dealt with the matter and declined a CBI probe.
• The court noted the SIT was directed in a case that sought only a Standard Operating Procedure for rallies and pressed Tamil Nadu to explain that departure from the petition’s limited prayer.
• Questioning the state’s handling, the judges asked why TVK’s Karur rally was permitted while SOPs were unfinished and how 41 autopsies were completed at night in roughly four hours, with an affidavit requested.
• TVK, through Aadhav Arjuna, asked to quash the SIT, expunge adverse remarks against Vijay, and have the inquiry monitored by a retired Supreme Court judge, while BJP leaders and victims’ kin sought a CBI probe.
• The state argued the High Court itself named reputable officers to the SIT and said a CBI handover wasn’t justified; police put the crowd at about 27,000 against permission for 10,000 as the SIT continues evidence collection.