§  CBI has already questioned 5+ TVK leaders

§  Over 200+ people interrogated

§  CCTV footage, drone videos, witness statements analyzed

§  Interrogation may lead to chargesheet filing

Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation has issued a formal summons to actor-turned-politician Vijay, founder and chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), directing him to appear for questioning on January 12, 2026, in connection with the tragic stampede that claimed 41 lives during a political rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district.

The summons marks a critical juncture in the Supreme Court-monitored investigation into one of South India’s deadliest crowd disasters in recent years. The incident, which occurred on September 27, 2025, during Vijay’s campaign rally in Velusamypuram, Karur district, has created a complex intersection of political liability, criminal accountability and systemic failures in crowd management that extends far beyond one individual or event.

The CBI’s decision to call Vijay for interrogation after questioning multiple TVK leaders over recent weeks signals that investigators are approaching the final investigative stage. This could culminate in the filing of a charge sheet, determining whether criminal responsibility extends beyond organizational negligence to the political leadership directing the rally.

The Karur Tragedy: Context Of A Preventable Disaster

On September 27, 2025, what was intended as a political rally celebrating Vijay’s recently launched party became a nightmare. Approximately 27,000-30,000 people gathered at Velusamypuram venue, which had formal approval for approximately 10,000 attendees. The massive crowd disparity created the deadly conditions that would unfold.

Vijay’s arrival at the venue was delayed by approximately seven hours from the originally scheduled time. This delay proved catastrophic—as attendees waited hour after hour in cramped conditions without adequate water, sanitation or crowd management, tensions escalated. Barriers were removed by eager supporters attempting to get closer positioning for Vijay’s arrival. Many attendees climbed onto roofs, trees and power lines to gain vantage points, creating structural instability and requiring authorities to cut electrical lines to prevent electrocution.

When Vijay finally arrived at the venue aboard his campaign convoy, the visual spectacle triggered another massive crowd surge. Supporters pushed forward to catch glimpses of the convoy. In the confusion and chaos, people began falling, pushing and climbing over one another. Within minutes, 41 people lay dead beneath crushing crowds. Over 60 others sustained serious injuries. Among the deceased were 18 women and 10 children, including a 1.5-year-old toddler and two pregnant women.

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Why CBI.? Supreme Court’s Intervention And Mandate

Initially, the Tamil Nadu government opposed central investigation. State authorities had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Judicial Commission led by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the incident. However, the Supreme Court intervened in October 2025, expressing concern that State machinery couldn’t objectively investigate an incident involving political figures that “shaken the national conscience.”

The Supreme Court was particularly disturbed by public statements made by senior Tamil Nadu police officers defending their subordinates and the state’s handling of the event. These defensive statements, delivered before investigations were complete, created what the Court termed “erosion of public trust” and suggested structural bias that prevented impartial inquiry.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court transferred the investigation to the CBI—India’s premier federal investigative agency—and constituted a three-member oversight committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to monitor the probe. This extraordinary measure reflected the Court’s determination to ensure investigation independence from state political influence.

The CBI’s Investigation Pathway

Since assuming charge in mid-October 2025, the CBI has conducted a comprehensive investigation spanning nearly three months. The agency’s inquiry focuses on multiple dimensions of the incident:

Event Planning and Permissions: Investigators examined how TVK obtained venue permissions for an event that ultimately attracted three times the authorized capacity. Did organizers misrepresent expected attendance.? Were authorities negligent in approving the venue for such massive gatherings.?

Crowd Management Infrastructure: The investigation scrutinized barricades, crowd segregation measures, exit routes and emergency response systems. Evidence suggests inadequate barricading allowed crowds to surge; narrow approach roads created bottleneck conditions; and insufficient exit routes prevented orderly evacuation once panic began.

Security Lapses: Police deployment, coordination between TVK security personnel and police and communication systems were examined. Why weren’t barriers maintained.? Why were electrical lines not immediately restored after being cut for safety.? Why were ambulances allegedly delayed in reaching victims.?

Timeline Reconstruction: Investigators collected CCTV footage, drone videos and mobile phone recordings to reconstruct the exact sequence of events. The seven-hour delay in Vijay’s arrival—and whose responsibility this was—assumes particular significance.

Evidence Collection: The CBI has interviewed over 200 people, including victims’ families, TVK workers, local police, district administration officials and event organizers. Statements have been recorded and cross-examined against documentary evidence.

Vijay’s Response And Political Implications

Vijay’s initial response to the tragedy was notably restrained. He released a video statement days after the incident, expressing profound sorrow and claiming TVK had taken precautions but that events unfolded unpredictably. He announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for each victim’s family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.

However, over subsequent weeks, Vijay’s narrative shifted. He and TVK leaders increasingly alleged that state government conspiracy and police negligence—rather than TVK organizational failures—caused the tragedy. TVK submitted video evidence to the CBI claiming that police cut electricity intentionally, obstructed ambulances and deliberately created chaos. TVK alleged these were deliberate state actions to sabotage the party’s political emergence.

This counter-narrative found significant support among Vijay’s supporters, who launched #SupportVijay social media campaigns. However, critics launched #ArrestVijay campaigns, highlighting allegations that Vijay ignored ambulances carrying critically injured victims and failed to visit injured survivors in hospitals.

The timing of Vijay’s CBI summons is politically significant—Tamil Nadu faces Assembly elections in 2026 and Vijay’s TVK is emerging as a potential third political force challenging the DMK government and AIADMK opposition. The investigation thus unfolds amid intense political contestation.

Other TVK Leaders Already Questioned

Before Vijay’s summons, the CBI questioned multiple TVK functionaries

·       TVK General Secretary ‘Bussy’ N Anand

·       Joint General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna

·       Joint Secretary Nirmal Kumar

·       Karur District Secretary Mathiyazhagan

Mathiyazhagan was initially arrested by Tamil Nadu police, with authorities holding him responsible for organizational lapses. However, he was released after court refused to extend judicial custody. He subsequently appeared before the CBI for questioning and submitted video evidence allegedly supporting TVK’s narrative of state government conspiracy.

These earlier interrogations likely provided investigators with crucial background enabling them to develop specific questions for Vijay himself.

Key Questions For Vijay’s Interrogation

Based on the investigation’s scope, Vijay’s interrogation will likely focus on,

·       Rally Planning: Who authorized holding a rally at a venue approved for 10,000 people when TVK expected 25,000+.?

·       Crowd Management: What crowd control measures did TVK implement.? Why were barriers removed despite police directives.?

·       Arrival Timeline: Why was Vijay delayed seven hours.? Who decided the revised arrival time.? Did TVK communicate delays to crowd management authorities.?

·       Safety Precautions: What discussions occurred between TVK leadership and police regarding crowd safety.? Were police recommendations heeded or ignored.?

·       Emergency Response: When stampede began, what immediate actions did Vijay and TVK leadership take.? Did TVK cooperate with emergency responders.?

·       Knowledge and Foresight: Did Vijay or TVK leaders have advance warning about crowd size risks.? If so, why weren’t preventive measures enhanced.?

Political And Judicial Context

The investigation occurs within critical political and legal context,

·       Tamil Nadu Election Year: Tamil Nadu faces Assembly elections in 2026 and Vijay’s TVK has positioned itself as a potential kingmaker. The CBI investigation will directly impact TVK’s electoral viability. A charge sheet against Vijay would devastate the party’s credibility; exoneration would strengthen its narrative of government persecution.

·       Supreme Court Oversight: Justice Ajay Rastogi’s monitoring committee ensures the investigation cannot be weaponized politically. Regular court hearings keep the probe on record and prevent backroom deals.

·       Broader Safety Implications: The case has triggered courts to mandate Tamil Nadu government to develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for mass gatherings, including attendance caps, mandatory risk assessments, emergency protocols and coordination requirements between organizers and authorities.

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Victim Families And Human Dimension

Beyond legal and political contests lies the human tragedy. Families of the 41 deceased continue mourning loved ones who attended a political rally expecting festive celebration and never returned home. Some brought infants and elderly relatives. Many traveled from nearby villages at significant personal cost. Several victims were working-class people or students with limited financial resources.

Victim families have expressed frustration that legal proceedings haven’t centered their needs. While compensation has been announced, families seek systemic accountability and assurance that such preventable tragedies won’t recur. The CBI investigation, though necessary for justice, cannot restore lost lives or compensate for their absence.

What Happens After The Interrogation

If the CBI determines sufficient evidence exists, it will file a charge sheet against individuals deemed responsible. Charges could range from criminal negligence and culpable homicide to conspiracy or reckless endangerment. The charge sheet would list specific accusations and evidence, triggering criminal prosecution in appropriate courts.

If the CBI determines evidence is insufficient to establish criminal responsibility, it may file a “final report” with no charges. This would effectively close criminal proceedings, though civil liability for compensation might remain.

The investigation’s conclusion could significantly impact,

·       Vijay’s political future and TVK’s electoral prospects

·       Public understanding of who bears responsibility for the tragedy

·       Policy reforms regarding mass gathering safety across India

·       Compensation and justice for victim families

Conclusion: Accountability And Systemic Reform

The CBI’s summons to Vijay represents a critical accountability moment. Regardless of investigative outcome, the Karur tragedy has exposed systemic vulnerabilities in how India regulates mass public gatherings, how political rallies balance candidate security with public safety and how state governance manages crowd disasters.

The investigation’s true value lies not solely in determining individual criminal responsibility but in establishing systemic accountability, preventing recurrence and restoring public confidence in institutional impartiality.

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