Vijay to Appear Before CBI Today in Karur Stampede Case

Actor-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay is scheduled to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Delhi today in connection with the Karur stampede tragedy that claimed 41 lives. The devastating incident occurred on September 27 last year during a massive political rally addressed by Vijay, marking one of the most severe crowd disasters in Tamil Nadu's recent political history.

The investigation into the stampede has undergone significant judicial developments. Initially, the Madras High Court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. However, the Supreme Court subsequently transferred the probe to the CBI and directed that it be supervised by a panel headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. The apex court also quashed a one-member commission previously appointed by the Tamil Nadu government, accepting arguments that a more independent inquiry was essential. Notably, TVK itself had demanded an impartial investigation into the matter.

According to Tamil Nadu Police's initial findings, Vijay's alleged delayed arrival at the venue contributed to the chaos, as the prolonged wait caused growing restlessness among the massive crowd. Authorities also pointed to inadequate arrangements for food, drinking water, and sanitation facilities, which reportedly led to unruly behaviour. Vijay has strongly rejected these claims, describing them as a "conspiracy" orchestrated by the ruling DMK government, while accusing the police of gross mismanagement and failure to regulate access roads effectively. The DMK has dismissed these counter-allegations.

Also Read: Vijay’s TVK Forms Manifesto Committee Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Polls

Vijay's CBI appearance coincides with a separate controversy involving the delayed certification of his upcoming film 'Jana Nayagan', originally slated for release this month ahead of Pongal. Although a single judge of the Madras High Court had directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue the certificate, a division bench later stayed the order and postponed the hearing to January 21. Opposition leaders, including from the Congress, have accused central agencies of being weaponised to exert pressure on TVK ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Political dynamics surrounding Vijay remain complex, with the actor consistently positioning TVK as the primary challenger to the ruling DMK, while terming the BJP his ideological adversary. Speculation persists about the BJP's renewed alliance with AIADMK and its potential strategy to benefit from vote-splitting by TVK. A senior BJP leader has denied any such intent, asserting that both the CBFC and CBI operate as independent professional bodies. TVK sources have expressed confidence in cooperating fully with the CBI probe while indicating readiness to seek judicial intervention if any undue pressure emerges.

Also Read: Karur Stampede Probe: CBI Calls TVK Chief Vijay for Questioning on January 12