Madras High Court cancels Tamil Nadu government jobs given to Karur Stampede victims’ families

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has set aside the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to provide government jobs on compassionate grounds to the families of those who lost their lives in the Karur stampede during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in September 2025.

The Madras High Court held the government orders were unconstitutional, contravening Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, the equality before the law and the right to equal opportunity in public offices. Also noted was that if such appointments were allowed, “the floodgates” for other similar claims could be opened in the future to compromise the law.

Defended by advocate Mohammed Rashid, who had filed the case, the state had issued compassionate appointments. He has noted that Supreme Court has already provided some clear guidelines in relation to such appointments and the families of the victims of stampede in the town of Karur fall outside that particular category that entitles them to be appointed by the government.

The state government’s line that the appointments have been done under government policy “do not override the law related to compassionate employment,” Rashid said. He argued that the shift was not justified by current statutes or regulations, and thus was not suitable for maintenance.

The HC agreed with the petition and struck down the government orders approving the appointments after hearing both sides. Rashid said the court agreed that the decision was inconsistent with the legal principles laid down by the Supreme Court regarding compassionate appointments.

In September 2025 a stampede occurred in the TVK rally killing at least 41 people in Karur. The ruling will likely impact future claims for compassionate grounds employment with the Government other than those classified under the laws in existence and given guidance in the courts.