Madras HC Directs Tamil Nadu to Frame Rally SOPs Within 10 Days

The Madras High Court has ordered the Tamil Nadu government to draft and publish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within 10 days for granting permits to political rallies across the state. The directive follows the Karur stampede at a rally led by TVK chief Vijay, which resulted in 41 deaths and widespread public concern.

Hearing multiple petitions converted into public interest litigations, a Bench comprising Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan underlined the need for uniform, transparent rules for political gatherings. The judges invited suggestions from political parties and set the next hearing for November 11, imposing a tight deadline for the state to act.

The court questioned the practicality and fairness of the current approval system, noting the difficulty of meeting "25 strict conditions" on short notice and querying whether such measures were applied evenly across parties.

The Tamil Nadu government told the court that draft SOPs were being prepared. Officials said future rallies would be confined to designated zones to minimise traffic disruption and public inconvenience, and that permissions would depend on organisers providing essentials such as drinking water, toilets and safety barriers. Interim conditions will remain until the SOPs take effect.

Lawyers for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said they supported formal SOPs but urged that the police issue clear, timely permissions. They argued that last-minute approvals have hampered proper planning and alleged that restrictions were sometimes used against specific political groups.

The Madras High Court said the new SOPs would set fixed timelines for approvals and strengthen accountability. The state acknowledged there is currently no statutory timeframe for permissions and pledged that the new process would reduce ambiguity and curb bias.

Separately, TVK chief Vijay met families of the Karur stampede victims at a Mamallapuram hotel, offered condolences and promised continued support, adding a personal dimension to the unfolding legal and political developments.

The Karur incident continues to reverberate through Tamil Nadu politics. While police and the ruling DMK have blamed alleged delays and route deviations by the TVK rally, the party has pointed to administrative lapses and a possible political motive. The case is under CBI investigation monitored by the Supreme Court.

Observers say the court’s order could reshape how large political gatherings are organised in the state, potentially introducing stricter safety standards, clearer procedures and greater accountability.