India, Oct. 3 -- The Madras high court on Friday ordered halting all political rallies, roadshows and other public events along state and national highways in the wake of the Karur stampede that killed over 40 people last Saturday.

The ban will remain in force until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding such events are formulated.

The order was passed while hearing four Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking directions to frame SOPs for mass gatherings to prevent incidents similar to the Karur stampede during a rally by actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).

The state government assured the court that it will not permit meetings on state and national highways, except in earmarked pl...