The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Chief and Actor Vijay for a second round of questioning on January 19 in connection with the Karur stampede tragedy that claimed 41 lives in September last year. Vijay, who faced nearly six hours of interrogation at CBI headquarters in Delhi on Monday, had requested the later date citing ongoing Pongal festivities. An agency official confirmed that the actor was initially asked to return on Tuesday but was granted the extension.

During Monday's session, Vijay maintained that he bore no responsibility for the crowd crush and stated he left the Velusamypuram venue promptly once the situation deteriorated to prevent further escalation. Investigators questioned him extensively on the sequence of events leading to the stampede, including the reasons for his delayed arrival and whether he was aware of the venue's congestion and expected turnout. Sources indicated the focus remained on organisational aspects of the rally and decisions taken during the incident.

Tamil Nadu police had earlier attributed the chaos to Vijay's alleged six-hour delay in reaching the venue, claiming it caused prolonged waiting, rising impatience, heat exhaustion, and dehydration among the swelling crowd. Vijay rejected these allegations, describing them as a political conspiracy orchestrated by the ruling DMK and accusing the police of gross mismanagement of the gathering. He insisted that inadequate crowd control measures by authorities were the primary cause of the tragedy.

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The CBI assumed control of the investigation from a Special Investigation Team formed by the Tamil Nadu government, following a Supreme Court directive in October. The agency has since recorded statements from several TVK office-bearers and former ADGP (law and order) S Davidson Devasirvatham. A three-member supervisory committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi continues to monitor the probe to ensure fairness and impartiality.

The Supreme Court had described the Karur incident as one that shook the national conscience and infringed upon citizens' fundamental rights, necessitating a thorough and independent inquiry. Vijay arrived at the CBI headquarters in a black Range Rover after flying from Chennai on a chartered aircraft with party colleagues. The forthcoming January 19 session is expected to delve deeper into organisational lapses and accountability surrounding the fatal event.

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