CBI Investigates Vijay in Karur Stampede Case: Delays and Safety Concerns

Karur Stampede Case: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a thorough interrogation of actor-turned-politician Vijay regarding the tragic stampede at his rally in September last year, which resulted in the deaths of 41 individuals, including nine children.

On January 12, the CBI's questioning focused on the alleged seven-hour delay in Vijay's arrival at the venue. Investigators are scrutinizing the timeline between the scheduled event start and Vijay's actual entry, assessing whether this delay exacerbated the situation, leading to a surge in the crowd.

The agency is also probing the coordination between party workers and local authorities, given that crowd estimates swelled from 10,000 to approximately 30,000. The CBI is examining the impact of Vijay's and his party workers' delays on crowd management and dynamics.

This case was transferred to the CBI by the Supreme Court following a petition from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for an impartial investigation.

Details of the Karur Stampede

Vijay, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema for over three decades, has attracted large crowds since establishing his political party, TVK, in 2024. The incident occurred around 7:30 PM, shortly after Vijay began addressing a crowd that had been gathered since the afternoon.

As he spoke from his campaign vehicle, panic ensued when attendees began to faint in the crowded area. In response, Vijay halted his speech, attempted to provide aid by throwing water bottles, and called for police assistance as chaos unfolded.

In a heartfelt message on social media, Vijay expressed his condolences: “I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment.”