Karur: The Tamil Nadu government has received major relief from the Supreme Court in the row over government jobs already provided to the families of those who died in the Karur stampede.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Madras High Court order that had cancelled the state government’s decision to provide government jobs to eligible legal heirs of the victims. The stay means the appointments can remain in place for now, while the Supreme Court examines whether the government’s decision was legally valid.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and others while hearing the state government’s challenge against the High Court order.
During the hearing, the judges questioned why the government could not provide a job to a family that had lost its only earning member in the tragedy. The remarks came as the court considered the government’s argument that the appointments were made as part of its relief measures for families affected by the tragedy.
The case relates to the deadly stampede at Velusamypuram in Karur on September 27, 2025, during a political rally organised by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor turned politician Vijay. The tragedy claimed 41 lives and left more than 100 people injured.
Following the incident, the Tamil Nadu government provided government jobs to eligible legal heirs of those who died. Vijay later handed over appointment orders to 32 legal heirs during his visit to Karur on July 10.
The appointments were subsequently challenged in court. On July 27, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court cancelled the government’s orders, holding that appointments made outside the regular recruitment process could run contrary to Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. These provisions guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunity in public employment.
The High Court also expressed concern that allowing such appointments could create a precedent for similar demands in the future. The Tamil Nadu government then approached the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision.
The Supreme Court’s latest order does not amount to a final ruling on the legality of the appointments. It only puts the High Court’s order on hold for now. The larger question of whether the government can make such appointments as a special relief measure will be decided by the Supreme Court after hearing all sides.
For the families of the Karur victims, however, Friday’s order offers immediate relief. The government jobs already provided to eligible legal heirs will not be affected by the High Court order for the time being, pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
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