Court Says Appointments Can Continue, But Will Be Subject to Final Verdict
The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench has granted interim relief to the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to provide government jobs to the families of the 41 victims who lost their lives in the Karur stampede. While the court declined to stay the appointments, it clarified that all such recruitments would remain subject to the final outcome of the case.
The Bench observed that it would not be appropriate to interfere with a policy decision of the government at this stage. It further directed that the case should be heard and concluded before the appointed candidates receive their first month’s salary. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 21.
Court Expands Scope of Proceedings
Taking suo motu cognizance of certain aspects of the matter, the High Court ordered that the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) be impleaded as a respondent. It also directed that notices be issued to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is conducting the probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
Petition Challenges Direct Government Appointments
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) sought a stay on the government’s decision to provide jobs directly to the victims’ families. The petitioners argued that appointments to government posts should be made only through the statutory recruitment process conducted by the TNPSC.
They also contended that since the CBI investigation is still underway, granting government jobs at this stage could potentially influence witnesses connected to the case.
High Court Questions Objections to Compassionate Appointments
During the hearing, the judges questioned the petitioners on what was wrong with extending government employment to families that had lost their breadwinners in the tragedy. The Bench observed that the affected families required financial security and emphasized that the courtroom was not a platform for political arguments.
The Tamil Nadu government informed the court that similar compassionate appointments had been made following the Thoothukudi Sterlite incident in the past.
Chief Minister to Hand Over Appointment Orders
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is expected to personally hand over appointment orders to eligible family members during his visit to Karur, where he will also meet and console the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
Background: Karur Stampede Claimed 41 Lives
The tragic stampede occurred during a massive rally organized by Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in September last year, claiming the lives of 41 people, including children.
According to the police investigation, inadequate basic infrastructure and failures in crowd management were the primary causes of the disaster. However, TVK has maintained that the tragedy resulted from police mismanagement.
The incident is currently under investigation by the CBI, with the probe being monitored by the Supreme Court of India.
