New Delhi is set to host another intense interrogation session as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summons Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay on Monday in connection with the tragic Karur stampede. This marks the second time in a week that the popular star will face questioning over the deadly incident that claimed 41 lives last September.
The probe gained renewed urgency following the September 27 rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district, where Vijay was campaigning for his newly launched political outfit. A massive crowd had gathered, but chaos erupted due to poor crowd management, resulting in a devastating stampede. The incident sent shockwaves across India, raising serious concerns about event planning and administrative lapses at political gatherings.
Under the supervision of a committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ajay Rastogi, the CBI has accelerated its investigation. Last week, on January 12, Vijay underwent a grueling six-hour questioning. Now, investigators aim to delve deeper into the planning failures that led to the catastrophe.
CBI teams have already recorded statements from key TVK officials, including General Secretary Bussy Anand, Election Management Division head Adhav Arjun, Joint General Secretary Nirmal Kumar, and Karur District Secretary Mathiyazhagan. Their accounts focus on event organization, security arrangements, and the sequence of events that spiraled out of control.
Vijay arrived late to the venue, exacerbating the crowd buildup and triggering the stampede. In the aftermath, the actor expressed profound grief, announcing Rs 20 lakh compensation for each victim’s family and personally reaching out via video calls to offer condolences. Despite these gestures, the agency seeks clarity on accountability.
As the nation watches closely, this ongoing scrutiny underscores the need for stringent safety protocols at large-scale public events. The CBI’s findings could reshape how political campaigns handle crowd dynamics in the future, ensuring such tragedies are prevented.