TVK President Vijay Appears Before CBI in Probe Linked to Karur Stampede Case

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor-turned-politician Vijay arrived at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters on Monday in connection with the ongoing probe into the Karur stampede tragedy, an incident that shook Tamil Nadu and sparked widespread political and public debate over accountability, crowd management, and administrative lapses.

Vijay’s visit to the CBI office comes amid heightened scrutiny of political leaders and event organisers linked, directly or indirectly, to the circumstances surrounding the stampede, which claimed multiple lives and left several others injured. The tragedy occurred during a high-attendance public gathering in Karur district, where overcrowding and alleged mismanagement reportedly led to chaos and panic among attendees.

According to sources familiar with the development, Vijay appeared before the central agency in response to a formal summons issued as part of the agency’s fact-finding process. Officials clarified that the TVK chief was not named as an accused at this stage and that his appearance was meant to assist investigators in understanding the broader context of the event, including planning, permissions, and communication between various stakeholders.

Security was tightened in and around the CBI headquarters ahead of Vijay’s arrival, with party supporters gathering at a distance and chanting slogans in support of their leader. TVK functionaries urged supporters to remain calm and cooperate with authorities, stating that the party respects the rule of law and believes in full transparency.

In a brief interaction with the media before entering the CBI premises, Vijay refrained from making detailed comments, stating only that he had “complete faith in the justice system” and would extend full cooperation to the investigation. “The truth will come out. Our thoughts remain with the families who lost their loved ones,” he reportedly said.

The Karur stampede tragedy had triggered sharp political reactions across the state, with opposition parties accusing the administration of negligence and failure to enforce safety norms. Questions were raised about crowd control measures, the adequacy of police deployment, emergency response preparedness, and whether standard operating procedures were followed despite prior intelligence about large turnout.

Following public outcry, the case was handed over to the CBI to ensure an impartial and comprehensive investigation. The agency has since been examining records, questioning officials, event organisers, and eyewitnesses, and reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the deadly stampede.

TVK leaders have maintained that Vijay was not present at the site during the incident and that the party had no role in operational arrangements that day. They have alleged that attempts are being made to politicise the tragedy and divert attention from systemic administrative failures.

Legal experts note that summoning prominent political figures is not unusual in high-profile cases, especially when investigators are attempting to establish a complete chain of responsibility. “Appearance before the CBI does not imply culpability. It is part of due process,” said a senior advocate familiar with similar investigations.

Families of the victims, meanwhile, continue to demand justice, compensation, and concrete measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Several civil society groups have also called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at mass gatherings, regardless of political or social affiliations.

As Vijay’s political profile continues to grow in Tamil Nadu, his engagement with central agencies is being closely watched by both supporters and critics. Analysts say the manner in which the investigation unfolds could have implications not only for the stampede case but also for the evolving political landscape in the state.

The CBI is expected to continue questioning other individuals linked to the event in the coming days. Officials have reiterated that the investigation will be conducted without fear or favour and that accountability will be fixed based on evidence and established legal standards.