In Brief
On 21 April 2019, a stampede at a Tamil Nadu temple during the Chithra Pournami festival killed seven pilgrims and injured ten. The temple's Chief Priest was arrested and granted bail by the High Court on condition he pay Rs. 70 lakhs to the victims' families. He challenged this, claiming financial inability. The Supreme Court held that bail conditions cannot impose financial burdens beyond an accused's capacity, and the priest was not named in the FIR or proven responsible for the stampede, which resulted from congestion. The Court waived the payment condition and allowed the trial court to set other bail terms as appropriate."
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