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Supreme Court stays order on Karur stampede victims' compassionate jobs
The Supreme Court of India has stayed a Madras High Court order that had quashed the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to provide compassionate government jobs to the families of those killed in the September 2025 Karur stampede. The stampede occurred during a political rally organized by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and current Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, resulting in 41 deaths.
The Madras High Court had previously ruled that these appointments violated constitutional principles of equality and equal opportunity under Articles 14 and 16. The High Court expressed concern that such a policy could ‘open the floodgates’ for similar demands following other tragedies, such as road accidents or firework explosions, and noted that many others were already awaiting compassionate appointments.
In granting the interim stay, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran questioned the basis for challenging the government’s policy. The Bench remarked on the unfortunate nature of the incident and asked why the state should be prevented from providing employment as a form of relief or succour, particularly if a family had lost its sole breadwinner. The Court has issued notices to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary and other respondents to further examine the matter.
Entities
C Joseph Vijay · Karur · Madras High Court · Supreme Court of India · Tamil Nadu · Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The state government decided to provide compassionate appointments to the families of 41 people killed in the September 2025 Karur stampede. www.barandbench.com · www.news18.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The CBI is currently investigating the Karur stampede tragedy. www.barandbench.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The High Court previously held that providing these jobs could overlook others waiting for compassionate appointments. www.barandbench.com · thefederal.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Madras High Court previously ruled that the appointments could not be sustained under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. www.barandbench.com · thefederal.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Supreme Court issued notice to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary and others regarding the petition. thefederal.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the High Court should not interfere with the state's policy decision regarding compassionate appointments. www.barandbench.com · www.news18.com · www.livelaw.in
- [● 2 SOURCES] The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur. www.barandbench.com · www.news18.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Supreme Court stayed the Madras High Court order quashing government jobs for Karur stampede victims' families. www.barandbench.com · thefederal.com · www.news18.com · www.livelaw.in