Karur Stampede Case: TVK Chief Vijay Questioned for 6 Hours by CBI

New Delhi: TVK chief and actor Vijay was questioned for nearly six hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday in connection with the Karur stampede case, marking the second round of questioning in the matter, officials said.

Vijay arrived at the CBI headquarters on Lodhi Road around 10.20 am and left at about 5 pm. He had earlier appeared before the agency on January 12, when he was also questioned for around six hours. Though he was asked to appear again the next day, he sought a later date citing Pongal celebrations, officials said.

According to CBI sources, the questioning focused on decisions taken while organising the rally, the reason for Vijay’s delay in reaching the venue, the continuation of the event despite crowding, and his awareness of the situation as chaos unfolded. Questions were also raised about crowd turnout and the alleged mismanagement that led to the stampede.

The questioning was conducted by a team led by a deputy superintendent-level officer from the agency’s anti-corruption wing. Officials said the decision on fixing individual responsibility and naming accused in the charge sheet would be taken only after analysing the statements of Vijay, senior leaders of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and officials from the police and district administration involved in granting permission and managing the rally.

TVK leader C T Nirmal Kumar, who was present outside the CBI office, said the party was fully cooperating with the investigation. He alleged that false narratives were being circulated about the case and urged people not to spread misinformation. He also said Vijay had not been summoned again by the agency.

The case relates to a stampede that occurred during a political rally in Karur on September 27, in which 41 people were killed and more than 60 others were injured. The CBI took over the investigation from a special investigation team following a Supreme Court order.

In October last year, the Supreme Court directed the CBI director to appoint a senior officer to lead the probe and set up a supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to monitor the investigation. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria had said the incident had shaken the conscience of the country and stressed the need for an impartial and independent investigation to restore public trust in the justice system.