In a key development in the Karur stampede case, where 41 people lost their lives during a political welfare event, the Karur District Court has ordered the release of Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries — Karur West District Secretary V.P. Mathiazhagan and Karur Town Secretary M.C. Paunraj — rejecting the plea for an extension of their judicial custody.
Both Mathiazhagan and Paunraj were arrested on September 29 in connection with the tragic stampede that occurred during a TVK event in Karur and were lodged in the Trichy Central Jail. Earlier, Paunraj’s bail plea was dismissed by the Karur District Principal Sessions Court on October 8, while Mathiazhagan’s bail petition was adjourned after the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
As their judicial custody period ended, both were produced before the Magistrate Court through video conference from Trichy Central Prison. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) requested a 15-day extension, which was opposed by TVK’s counsel, who argued that since the case had been handed over to the CBI, any decision on custody should be made only after hearing the accused in person.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Bharatkumar observed that the investigation had been officially transferred to the CBI and declined to extend the judicial custody. He ordered the release of both Mathiazhagan and Paunraj.
Following the court order, both were taken back to Trichy Central Jail for formal procedures and are expected to be released after completing affidavit-related formalities.
Meanwhile, the CBI has begun initial coordination with the Tamil Nadu Police to assume control of the investigation. The probe will focus on identifying administrative lapses and safety violations that led to the deadly crowd crush.
Outside the jail, TVK supporters gathered in large numbers, raising slogans and celebrating the court’s decision, calling it a “moral victory” for the party.
With the release of Mathiazhagan and Paunraj, attention now turns to the CBI’s next course of action in determining accountability for one of Tamil Nadu’s most tragic political events.
