Karur stampede: Vijay denies responsibility, CBI examines police and party role

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor‑turned‑politician Vijay appeared at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in New Delhi on Monday for a second round of questioning in connection with the Karur stampede that killed 41 people and injured dozens more during a party rally on September 27, 2025. Vijay is being treated as a suspect, with investigators examining his role and the actions of his party during the event. The questioning was intense yet cordial, with CBI officers asking questions in a sequential manner to reconstruct the full timeline of events.

Alongside Vijay, the CBI has questioned nine police personnel who were on duty during the rally. Investigators are scrutinising the deployment and actions of these officers to determine whether delays, mismanagement, or lapses in crowd control contributed to the tragedy.

During the interrogation, Vijay told investigators that he never hurriedly left the venue and only departed after noticing chaos and reports of people fainting, to prevent further complications. He reiterated that neither he nor TVK or its functionaries were responsible for the tragedy. Officials noted that members of TVK who had been grilled earlier in Karur had taken the same stand. The CBI is analyzing the statements given by Vijay as part of its broader probe into security arrangements, coordination with local authorities, and crowd management.

Investigators are examining how an originally permitted crowd of around 10,000 swelled to more than 30,000 people, overwhelming basic facilities such as entry and exit points, drinking water, and first‑aid services. The agency is also reviewing deployment records, event permissions, and coordination between police, administrative officials, and rally organisers.

In response to widespread speculation, TVK clarified that no further summons have been issued to Vijay, dismissing rumours that he would face additional questioning. Supporters gathered outside the CBI office during Vijay’s questioning, waving flags and asserting that security lapses by authorities, rather than the actions of TVK, were to blame.

The Supreme Court had transferred the case to the CBI in October 2025 to ensure an impartial investigation, with a supervisory committee led by a former Supreme Court judge overseeing the probe. The CBI is expected to complete its analysis of witness statements, administrative records, and forensic material before finalising the chargesheet, which could assign specific responsibilities to individuals and organisations involved in organising and securing the event.