Supreme Court Stays Order Blocking Jobs for Stampede Victims

The Supreme Court of India stayed a Madras High Court order on August 14, 2026, that had quashed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to the families of victims killed in the Karur stampede. The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a rally organized by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party and addressed by its leader, C Joseph Vijay, who now serves as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The tragedy resulted in 41 deaths and numerous injuries.

On July 10, Chief Minister Vijay distributed appointment orders to 31 relatives of the deceased. However, the Madras High Court ruled on July 27 that these compassionate appointments were unconstitutional under Articles 14 and 16, arguing that such relief is reserved for government employees who die in service. The lower court warned that the move bypassed other eligible candidates and could open floodgates for similar demands following other tragedies.

During the August 14 hearing, the Supreme Court questioned the basis for preventing the state from offering employment as relief, particularly for families who lost their sole earning member. The court issued notice to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary and warned a lawyer representing a political party against introducing politics into the proceedings. While the stay provides temporary relief to the state government, the court has not yet issued a final ruling on the legality of the policy. The Central Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the stampede under the supervision of a committee led by former judge Justice Ajay Rastogi.