Chennai: Can the state govt be directed to provide compensation to persons who were killed in events organised by political parties, Madras high court asked the Tamil Nadu govt on Tuesday.Justice Mohammed Shaffiq made the query, on a plea moved by P Vadivelu, a daily-wage labourer from Tondiarpet, seeking ₹50 lakh compensation for the death of his 14-year-old daughter Yuvasree in a stampede during a relief distribution program organised by AIADMK at R K Nagar, in Dec 2023.The court has also directed AIADMK to respond to the plea in two weeks. According to the petitioner, on Dec 9, 2023, AIADMK organised a relief distribution event for people affected by cyclone Michaung.The event was attended by AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. Yuvasree had gone to collect relief materials along with her aunt when a stampede broke out due to a massive crowd. She was killed in the stampede.Alleging that the stampede occurred due to the negligence on part of the authorities in managing the crowd, the petitioner contended that the negligence amounted to violation of the right to life with safety and dignity of his daughter guaranteed under the Constitution.Therefore, he wanted the court to direct the state govt to provide Rs 50 lakh as compensation for his daughter’s death.
