Overview

• A bench of Justices J. K. Maheshwari and N. V. Anjaria reserved its order after hearing petitions from TVK, victims’ families, BJP leaders and the Tamil Nadu government.
• The court highlighted conflicting High Court actions, noting the Madurai bench declined a CBI probe while a Chennai single judge directed an SIT for the same incident.
• The state was pressed to explain why rally permission was granted during SOP finalisation and how 41 autopsies were completed overnight in roughly 4–5 hours, with affidavits sought.
• TVK asked for a stay of the SIT order, removal of adverse remarks about Vijay and an investigation monitored by a retired Supreme Court judge, while BJP petitioners sought a CBI probe.
• Tamil Nadu opposed a CBI transfer as unwarranted, citing precedent, as the HC-constituted SIT led by IPS Asra Garg continues collecting statements and inspecting the venue, with police estimating turnout near 27,000–30,000 against a 10,000 cap and noting a seven-hour delay in Vijay’s arrival.