The Madras High Court on Monday set aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to the families of those who died in the Karur stampede, disposing of a batch of public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the appointments. Noting that the stampede is being investigated by the CBI under the Supreme Court's supervision, the court said it would not comment on the merits of the case.
The Bench recalled that it had earlier permitted the Tamil Nadu government to conduct the appointment ceremony on the condition that the appointments would remain temporary until the matter was decided before the beneficiaries received their first month's salary. The court observed that the issue had now been decided in accordance with that undertaking.
During the proceedings, the court also considered whether the PILs challenging the compassionate appointments were maintainable. Citing Supreme Court judgments, it observed that courts have the authority to grant suitable relief in deserving cases. Meanwhile, sources indicated that the TVK government is likely to challenge the High Court's ruling before the Supreme Court.
The State government argued that compassionate appointments are governed by established rules, including eligibility conditions such as age and educational qualifications, and maintained that the appointments in the Karur case had been made strictly in line with those guidelines. It questioned the basis for challenging the appointments.
The court, however, expressed concerns about the wider implications of such a decision. It observed that granting government jobs to families of those killed in the Karur stampede could lead to similar demands from victims' families in cases involving government bus accidents or recurring industrial disasters, including firecracker factory explosions in Sivakasi.
The Bench also noted that thousands of candidates are awaiting recruitment through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). It pointed out that the government had exempted these appointments from the standard approval process required for regularising compassionate appointments.
The court further observed that providing skill development programmes and livelihood support to the affected families could serve as a more appropriate and sustainable rehabilitation measure than offering government employment.
Rejecting the State's submission that the posts offered were merely "ordinary jobs", the Bench remarked that no government position could be considered ordinary, as every government job provides financial security and livelihood to a family.
The appointments were part of a rehabilitation package announced by the Vijay-led government for the families of the 41 people who died in the September 2025 Karur stampede during a TVK election rally.
On July 10, Vijay visited Karur for the first time after becoming Chief Minister and handed over compassionate appointment orders to 32 members of the victims' families. Under the rehabilitation package, one eligible member from each affected family was offered a government job.
The Chief Minister also met the bereaved families at the District Collectorate before addressing a public meeting in the district.
The ceremony witnessed emotional moments as Vijay broke down while distributing the appointment letters. Dressed in black, the actor-turned-politician struggled to contain his emotions as he comforted grieving relatives, calling the tragedy an "unhealed wound" that continued to weigh heavily on him.
Visuals from the event showed Vijay embracing the victims' family members and often bowing his head in silence while handing over the appointment orders.
