‘Freedom of speech’ opposed by ‘more speech’, not judicial gag, says SC; rejects DMK’s plea to curb TVK leaders’ statement on Karur dash

Supreme Court of India in New Delhi. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Supreme Court said on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) that imposing injunctions on Tamil Nadu’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) from public statements linking political rivals to the Karur rampage can amount to an injunction on “freedom of expression”.

The court advised the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to issue its own rebuttals and fight “freedom of speech” for “more speech” rather than try for a judicial gag.

The remarks by a Bench headed by Justice KV Viswanathan came while hearing a petition filed by DMK organizing secretary RS Bharathi, who alleged that TVK ministers like Aadhav Arjuna were publicly falsely accusing and “threatening” political opponents in connection with the Karur stampede.

The tragedy left 41 dead and 142 injured during a TVK rally on September 27 last year. The Supreme Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the stampede on 13 October 2025. The investigation is ongoing and some TVK leaders have been named as accused.

Public statements

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Mr. Bharathi, said that TVK ministers like Mr. Arjuna, who is also among the accused, must refrain from making any such public statements during the investigation.

“That may amount to banning free speech, Mr. Kumar. What law authorizes that? You are also giving your speech, you are hindering free speech by more speech,” Justice Viswanathan observed.

The bench questioned the propriety of hearing the DMK’s application for implementation in the case, in which it ordered a CBI probe and monitored the progress. The court referred to Mr. Bharathi’s contention in the application that it would file a contempt petition against public statements allegedly made by TVK leaders. Justice Viswanathan said the court cannot be converted into a political forum and political battles must be fought outside the courtroom.

CM’s visit to Karur

Further, Mr. Kumar protested against the likely trip of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to Karur on July 10 to meet the families of the stampede victims and to extend condolence messages to them. He said the state government has already announced an ex gratia payment of ₹ 10 lakh to the affected families.

Mr Kumar said “accused persons are creating a story. I am not against compensation, I am against giving compensation directly to the accused families who are also witnesses in the case,” the senior advocate said.

The court said that Mr. Vijay was not impleaded as an “accused” either in the FIR or in the DMK’s own application. “Please verify your facts,” Justice Viswanathan said.

The judge asked how the Supreme Court was expected to “modify the itinerary” of the chief minister.

“If the executive travels only to distribute what has already been ordered to the victims by the state government, how will the victims be affected? Doesn’t that really reflect your thoughts on the victims?” Justice Viswanathan asked, expressing doubt whether the application was “well thought out” in the first place.

As instructed, Mr. Kumar eventually decided to withdraw the application.

Published – July 7, 2026 2:30 PM IST