The Central Bureau of Investigation has intensified the investigation into the tragic Karur stampede, making a second summons to actor-turned-politician Vijay. That comes after a sustained six hours of interrogation earlier this week at the CBI headquarters in the country’s capital.
The CBI, which took over the case from a Tamil Nadu Police SIT following a Supreme Court directive, is investigating aspects of the September 27, 2025 tragedy. The stampede killed 41 people at a political rally in Karur and injured more than 100 people. On his initial appearance on January 12, Vijay reportedly maintained that his party, TVK, was not responsible for the chaos, instead pointing toward lapses in state police security and crowd management.
But the agency is now investigating discrepancies about his seven-hour delay coming to the location that investigators believe played a role in the crowded conditions and the ensuing panic. Why the Second Summons? The agency had requested Vijay return for questioning the day after his initial encounter. But the TVK chief made an exemption due to the Pongal festival and political meetings he scheduled. CBI has given him that and also now said he must show up tomorrow. The second round has reportedly likely include:
- Verifying Statements: Confirming Vijay's testimony with senior officers and officials of TVK already questioned.
- Forensic Data: Examining results of the inspection of his campaign car and video footage of the event.
- Risk Assessment: Identifying whether previous risk assessments were made by the party team in conjunction with district authorities.
Political & Legal Stakes
The CBI probe continues to be a focal point of contention as Vijay prepares for a maiden electoral campaign for his party in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. TVK leaders accuse the inquiry of being a political conspiracy; the Supreme Court stressed that the incident “shook the national conscience,” adding it had created a monitoring committee chaired by retired judge Ajay Rastogi to keep an impartial examination.
