Karur stampede case: CBI issues fresh summons to actor Vijay
text_fields
Chennai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a fresh summons to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay, directing him to appear once again before the agency in New Delhi on Monday in connection with its probe into the Karur stampede case.
The case pertains to a political campaign event held in Karur on September 27, 2025, during which Vijay was campaigning for TVK. A massive crowd gathered at the venue, resulting in a deadly stampede that claimed 41 lives.
The incident sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu and triggered widespread public outrage, leading to the initiation of a high-level investigation. The probe, being conducted by the CBI, is under the supervision of a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi.
In recent weeks, the CBI has stepped up its investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy. As part of the inquiry, the agency has already examined several senior functionaries of TVK. Those questioned include party general secretary Bussi Anand, Election Management Division general secretary Adhav Arjuna, joint general secretary Nirmal Kumar, and Karur district secretary Mathiyazhagan.
Last month, Bussi Anand and Adhav Arjuna personally appeared before CBI officials at the agency’s Delhi office and provided detailed explanations. Based on the statements recorded and evidence gathered so far, the CBI decided to question Vijay directly regarding his role and responsibilities related to the Karur programme.
Accordingly, Vijay was earlier summoned to appear at the CBI office in Delhi at 11 a.m. on January 12. He complied with the summons and was questioned at length by investigators.
During the interrogation, CBI officials reportedly raised several key issues, including who organised the Karur event, whether Vijay had prior knowledge of the arrangements, the reason for his delayed arrival at the venue, and whether any measures were taken to control the swelling crowd.
Investigators also sought clarification on when he became aware of the seriousness of the overcrowding, whether the local administration had issued any advance warnings, and what arrangements had been made for drinking water, security, and safe entry and exit routes.
Sources said Vijay responded to all queries and offered detailed explanations. After the first round of questioning, he returned to Chennai.
Following the Pongal festival, the CBI has now summoned him again for the next phase of questioning. According to reports, Vijay is expected to travel to Delhi later this evening for his second appearance before the investigating agency, as the CBI continues its efforts to establish responsibility and accountability in the Karur stampede tragedy.
With IANS inputs
