CBI has questioned TVK chief and actor Vijay in connection with the Karur stampede tragedy that claimed 41 lives during a political rally. The probe comes at a crucial time ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
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NEW DELHI: Actor turned politician Vijay, founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Delhi in connection with the Karur stampede tragedy, one of the deadliest crowd disasters in Tamil Nadu’s recent political history. The incident, which occurred on September 27 last year, claimed 41 lives during a massive political rally addressed by Vijay.
The questioning comes at a politically sensitive moment, just months ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, and amid controversy over the delayed certification of Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan.
ALSO READ: Karur Stampede: Supreme Court Refuses to Modify Its Order Suspending Enquiry Commission
Karur Stampede Tragedy
The Karur stampede took place during a large public rally organised by TVK, marking Vijay’s growing presence as a political force in Tamil Nadu. According to police accounts at the time:
- Vijay’s alleged delay in arriving at the venue led to prolonged crowd congestion
- There was an acute shortage of food, drinking water, and toilet facilities
- Overcrowding and fatigue reportedly caused the situation to spiral out of control
The tragedy resulted in 41 deaths, triggering widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Vijay, however, categorically denied police allegations, calling them a “political conspiracy” orchestrated by the ruling DMK, a claim the government has rejected. He instead blamed the police for poor crowd management and failure to clear approach road bottlenecks.
Legal Journey
The investigation into the Karur stampede has seen several legal twists:
- The Madras High Court initially constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- The Supreme Court later transferred the probe to the CBI
- The top court ordered the investigation to be monitored by a panel headed by a retired Supreme Court judge
- A one-member commission appointed by the Tamil Nadu government was quashed, with the court agreeing that a more independent and credible probe was required
Notably, TVK itself had sought an independent investigation, strengthening its claim of transparency. A TVK source told:
“Our leader will cooperate with the stampede investigation. We hope this will bring out the truth.”
ALSO READ: Karur Stampede Row: Tamil Nadu Moves Supreme Court to End CBI Probe
The CBI questioning has intensified political sparring in Tamil Nadu. Vijay has consistently projected the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections as a straight fight between the ruling DMK and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
- Frames the election as a direct contest between DMK and TVK
- Calls the DMK his political enemy
- Describes the BJP as his ideological enemy
Leaders from the Congress and other opposition parties allege that central agencies are being misused to pressure Vijay and TVK ahead of elections.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, without naming Vijay’s film, recently remarked that the CBFC has “joined the list of central agencies being used as weapons by the Union government.”
The BJP, which has revived its alliance with the AIADMK, has rejected these claims outright. A senior BJP leader told:
“Both are professional bodies. Why should we get him publicity when he’s not joining us?”
Vijay’s legal and political challenges come alongside uncertainty over his film ‘Jana Nayagan’, which was scheduled for release on January 10, ahead of Pongal.
- A single judge of the Madras High Court directed the CBFC to grant certification
- A division bench later stayed the order and adjourned the matter to January 21
Neither Vijay nor TVK has officially commented on the delay, but opposition leaders claim it reflects political pressure through regulatory institutions.
When asked whether the CBI probe could make TVK susceptible to political coercion, a senior party leader said:
“So far, we are fine. We believe in the CBI probe. Should there be any pressure, we would approach the court.”
Political analysts, however, speculate that the BJP–AIADMK alliance may benefit indirectly if TVK splits anti-DMK votes, potentially making Vijay a key post-poll player. The BJP has dismissed this theory.
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