Archive · 22 Jan 2026
SC Refuses Omnibus Directions on Stampede Prevention
The Supreme Court of India recently heard a case about preventing stampedes at big events like religious gatherings and political rallies.
A man named Tumbalam Gooty Venkatesh asked the court to make rules to keep people safe in crowds.
The court said it was not the right place to make these rules and told the man to talk to the government instead.
The court also said that making rules for crowd safety is something that experts in law and order should handle.
The man mentioned some recent accidents where many people died, but the court said the government needs time to think about these issues.
So, the court did not make any new rules but told the man to talk to the government and the Election Commission about his ideas.
The Supreme Court refused to issue comprehensive directions on preventing stampedes during large public gatherings.
The petitioner sought a binding standard operating procedure (SOP) for crowd management and safety.
The court directed the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Election Commission.
The bench expressed reservations about the feasibility of court-mandated, all-encompassing guidelines for crowd control.
The petitioner cited recent tragedies and past judicial observations to argue for stricter safety norms and licensing requirements.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India and Petitioner Tumbalam Gooty Venkatesh
- What
- Supreme Court refused to issue omnibus directions on a PIL seeking comprehensive directions to prevent stampedes during large public gatherings
- When
- Hearing held on an unspecified date in 2025
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To determine the scope of judicial intervention in matters involving crowd management and law and order
Petitioner's View
Supreme Court's View
Judicial Intervention in Crowd Management
Petitioner's View
The petitioner believes the Supreme Court should issue comprehensive directions to prevent stampedes during large public gatherings, citing past judicial interventions in policy matters involving vulnerable lives.
Supreme Court's View
The Supreme Court expressed reservations about issuing court-mandated, all-encompassing guidelines for crowd control, questioning the feasibility and scope of judicial intervention in matters of crowd management and law and order.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Petitioner's View
The petitioner seeks a direction to the Centre to frame and implement a binding SOP for crowd management and safety for large public gatherings, including political rallies and religious events.
Supreme Court's View
The Supreme Court noted that the formulation of such policies is better suited for domain experts of law and order enforcing agencies and directed the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Election Commission.
Responsibility of Authorities
Petitioner's View
The petitioner argues that the Centre and states should be directed to establish a minimum benchmark for crowd safety, citing recent tragedies and the lack of a legal definition for 'stampede'.
Supreme Court's View
The Supreme Court emphasized the need to give authorities 'breathing time' to consider the representation and dispose of the PIL, leaving it to the competent authorities to consider the representation if they deem it appropriate.
- Bench Members
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi
- Petitioner
- Tumbalam Gooty Venkatesh
- Date of Representation
- December 18, 2025
- Date of PIL Filing
- December 21, 2025
- Recent Incidents Cited
- Karur and RCB event (56 lives lost)
- Past Judicial Observations
- Uphaar cinema tragedy highlighting the need for stricter safety norms and licensing requirements
Sources
Devise policy for media briefing by police, SC tells states
SC asks states to devise policy for media briefing by police
SC Asks States to Devise Policy for Media Briefing by Police
SC refuses to issue omnibus directions on stampede prevention
SC Refuses To Issue Omnibus Directions On Stampede Prevention
