Supreme Court Stays Madras HC Order on Jobs for Karur Stampede Victims' Kin

The Supreme Court on Friday, August 14, 2026, stayed a Madras High Court order that had quashed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to the relatives of 41 people killed in a stampede at a political rally in Karur last year. The interim order from a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran effectively reinstates the state's employment policy while the legal challenge is examined.

The High Court had on July 27, 2026, struck down Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's order, arguing it could open "floodgates" of similar demands and would unfairly overlook others already waiting for compassionate appointments in government departments. The division bench had held the policy contrary to constitutional articles guaranteeing equality before law and equal opportunity in public employment.

During Friday's hearing, the Supreme Court bench questioned the petitioner who had challenged the state's policy. "Who are you to question the policy of the government?" the judges asked, according to reports. They further remarked, "Suppose the sole member died in the tragedy, shouldn't the government give some employment to son or daughter?" The observations...