The Supreme Court of India has intervened to temporarily suspend the Madras High Court’s recent ruling, which annulled the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to provide government jobs on compassionate grounds to the families of 41 victims of the Karur stampede. This decision was made on Friday by a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran, following a petition from the State government.
“Issue notice. Judgment passed by the High Court shall remain stayed,” the Supreme Court declared, emphasizing the severity of the incident and the government’s responsibility to support the affected families. The Bench questioned whether the government should refrain from offering employment as a form of compensation, given the tragic circumstances.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the State government, argued in favor of the compassionate appointments. The High Court had previously invalidated these appointments, citing Articles 14 and 16 of the Indian Constitution, which mandate that public employment should adhere to principles of equality and fair opportunity. The court highlighted that other individuals, whose relatives had died while serving in government positions, were awaiting similar appointments, and their claims should not be disregarded in favor of the stampede victims’ families.
The High Court’s decision followed petitions challenging the State’s move to grant jobs to the families affected by the September 2025 stampede during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur. This incident is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
After the TVK, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, assumed power post the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in April 2026, the State government had decided to employ the kin of those who perished in the stampede. Petitioners before the High Court contended that compassionate appointments are generally regulated by strict norms applicable to the dependents of government employees who die in service. They also argued that the families had already received ex gratia payments, and providing employment amidst an ongoing CBI probe could potentially influence witnesses.
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The Supreme Court’s decision to stay the High Court’s ruling presents a significant development in this case, as it underscores the judiciary’s balancing act between legal principles and humanitarian considerations.
