The toll in the stampede at actor-politician Vijay-led rally in Karur in Tamil Nadu climbed to 40 on Sunday with over 60 being treated as in-patients, and at least 2 were critical, officials said.
As the toll mounted, Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) moved the Madras High Court Madurai Bench seeking a CBI or an independent probe into the stampede. Vijay, facing flak from various quarters, also announced a compensation of `20 lakh each to the families of the victims, while expressing grief over the incident that left 40 dead.
Karur police have booked a case under provisions, including negligence, against TVK office-bearers. Commercial establishments in Karur remained shut on Sunday as a mark of respect to the dead. Ten children, 17 women and 13 men have died. The youngest victim was a two-year-old. Among other victims were a 28-year-old woman and her two daughters, both aged less than 10; a 24-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman who were set to get married soon.
Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, who leads the single-person Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government, visited a Karur hospital, spoke to the affected people and also inspected the scene of the stampede and inquired with officials.
Meanwhile, a man injured in the stampede moved the High Court with a plea to forbear Tamil Nadu DGP from granting permission to conduct any further public meetings by the party leader until Saturday’s fatal incident was fully investigated and responsibility fixed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of `2 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased.