Vijay denies role in Karur rally stampede during CBI questioning

Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Jan 12: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi on Monday and denied any responsibility for the deadly stampede that occurred during his party’s public rally in Tamil Nadu last year, sources familiar with the investigation said.

The incident took place on September 27, 2025, in Karur during a large public meeting addressed by Vijay, leaving 41 people dead. The tragedy, among the worst crowd-related disasters in the state’s recent political history, is under investigation amid allegations of serious lapses in planning and crowd control.

Sources said Vijay was questioned for nearly six hours and consistently maintained that neither he nor his party bore responsibility for the incident. He reportedly told investigators that he left the venue after assessing the situation in an effort to prevent further casualties. Party sources said Vijay asserted that the organisers had no role in triggering the chaos that led to the stampede.

CBI officials indicated that the questioning remains incomplete and that Vijay will be summoned again. His statements will be verified against police reports, eyewitness accounts, and other documentary and technical evidence gathered during the probe.

According to sources, Vijay sought a temporary pause in questioning citing the upcoming Pongal festival. Investigators are therefore expected to resume questioning after the festival period.

Following the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Police had alleged that delays in Vijay’s arrival caused the crowd to swell beyond control, leading to panic and disorder. Police also pointed to alleged shortcomings in basic arrangements such as food, drinking water, and sanitation facilities, claiming these factors contributed to unrest among attendees.

Vijay has strongly rejected these claims, describing them as politically motivated. He has accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of attempting to shift blame and has instead held the police responsible for inadequate crowd management, alleging that traffic bottlenecks on approach roads were not cleared despite prior warnings.

The CBI investigation is ongoing, with officials working to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine accountability for the tragedy.