Karur stampede: TVK leaders booked after rally tragedy that killed 39

Karur: Police have filed cases against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) General Secretary Bussy Anand, Karur West district secretary V.P. Mathiyazhagan, and state office-bearer C.T. Nirmal Kumar over alleged lapses linked to the deadly stampede at party president and actor Vijay’s rally in Karur, which claimed 39 lives and left dozens injured.

The public meeting, held at Veluchamipuram on the outskirts of Karur, drew thousands of supporters who had queued from early morning to see Vijay as part of his statewide political tour.

Eyewitnesses said the tragedy unfolded when a sudden crowd surge in a confined space triggered panic, with people stumbling and being trampled amid poor lighting and inadequate crowd control. Ambulances were delayed by congested approach roads as victims were rushed to the Karur Government Medical College Hospital and private facilities nearby.

Of the 39 victims, 27 were from Karur district. Two each were from Erode, Dindigul and Tiruppur, and one from Salem. Emur village in Karur was among the hardest hit, losing five residents, including a 10-year-old boy and a mother with her young daughter.

Many more remain under treatment, some critically injured.

The disaster sparked an outpouring of grief nationwide. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin extended condolences. Stalin flew overnight to Karur, met the injured, and announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased and Rs one lakh for the injured from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

He also ordered a judicial inquiry headed by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan to fix responsibility and suggest measures to prevent similar tragedies.

Karur City Police said TVK leaders have been booked for alleged violations of safety protocols and shortcomings in event management believed to have contributed to the fatal crush. Detailed charges have not yet been disclosed, with officers noting that additional sections could be added as the investigation progresses.

As rescue and relief efforts continued, political leaders across parties urged stricter enforcement of safety norms at large gatherings. Meanwhile, grieving families in Karur and neighboring districts began laying their loved ones to rest.