New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on July 7 a plea alleging that witnesses in last year's Karur stampede case are being influenced by ministers in the Tamil Nadu government.

A partial working day bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Sheel Nagu scheduled the matter for Tuesday after senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi informed the court that despite its earlier order directing a CBI investigation, attempts were allegedly being made to interfere with the probe.

Ahmadi submitted that some of the accused, who are currently ministers in the state government, were "actively influencing" witnesses. He told the bench, "This court directed a CBI probe. Now some accused, who are ministers in the present regime, are attempting to actively influence the witnesses. We have filed an application."

Responding to the submission, the bench said, "We will have it tomorrow."

On October 13 last year, the Supreme Court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Karur stampede, observing that the tragedy, which claimed 41 lives, had "shaken the national conscience" and required a fair, independent and impartial investigation.

The order came on a petition filed by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, seeking an independent inquiry into the incident.

The apex court had also constituted a three-member supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to oversee the CBI investigation.

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In the same order, the court stayed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a one-member commission of inquiry, while directing the state government to extend full cooperation to the CBI during the investigation.