Date: 2025-09-28Category: Not ApplicableState: Tamil NaduCountry: India
PUBLIC DEPARTMENT (Law and Order - F)--Appointment of Commission of Inquiry to Inquire Into the Causes and Circumstances Leading to the Stampede at Propaganda Meeting on 27.09.2025 at Veluchamipuram In Karur District Under the Commissions of Inquiry act, 1952.
**Executive Summary**
The Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary, dated September 28, 2025, announces the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the stampede at a political propaganda meeting in Veluchamipuram, Karur District, on September 27, 2025. The Commission, headed by retired High Court Judge Justice Tmt. Aruna Jagadeesan, has three months from the publication date to submit its report in both English and Tamil.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Commission Establishment:**
* A Commission of Inquiry is appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to investigate the stampede.
* Hon'ble Justice Tmt. Aruna Jagadeesan, a retired Judge of the High Court of Madras, is appointed as the single-member Commission.
* **Terms of Reference:**
* Investigate the causes and circumstances leading to the stampede at the political meeting.
* Fix responsibility for lapses that led to the tragedy.
* Review permissions given and compliance by event organizers.
* Study existing rules and SOP for granting permissions to political parties for meetings/rallies.
* Suggest preventive measures to avert future occurrences.
* **Report and Provisions:**
* The Commission must submit its report in both English and Tamil within three months of the Gazette's publication date.
* Sub-sections (2), (3), (4), and (5) of section 5 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 apply to the Commission.
**Impact Analysis**
**Political Parties**
* **Impact:** Their processes for requesting and managing permissions for conducting political events may be scrutinized and potentially revised.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for potential review of past event permissions and be prepared to adjust practices in accordance with the updated SOP.
**Event Organisers**
* **Impact:** Their operations for organising political events may be subject to review, and may face increased scrutiny over compliance with safety regulations.
* **Action Required:** Be prepared to cooperate with the commission's inquiries and ensure full compliance with all existing regulations.
**Government of Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Potentially faces responsibility for gaps or weakness in the government SOP and existing rules and regulations
* **Action Required:** Respond to suggestions to improve the current SOP and address any weaknesses identified by the commission's inquiry.
Key Entities Referenced
Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952: Central law under which the Commission of Inquiry is established.
Commission of Inquiry: A commission appointed to inquire into the Veluchamipuram stampede.
Veluchamipuram: The location of the stampede incident in Karur District that the commission is investigating.
Aruna Jagadeesan: Retired Judge of High Court of Madras, single member of the Commission of Inquiry.