India, Oct. 4 -- The Madras High Court on Friday came down heavily on Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its chief, actor-turned-politician Vijay, over last week's Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, describing it as a "huge man-made disaster."

Justice N Senthilkumar, hearing a public interest litigation on the incident, ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) under IPS officer Asra Garg to probe the tragedy. The court also directed the Tamil Nadu government to prohibit political rallies and roadshows on state and national highways until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are finalised.

The stampede occurred on September 27 at Velusamypuram near Karur when a crowd of more than 60,000 people surged past barricades...