TVK chief and actor Vijay has told investigators that neither his party nor its functionaries were responsible for the deadly Karur stampede, sources said on Monday. During questioning that lasted over six hours, Vijay reportedly said he left the venue fearing that his continued presence could worsen the situation and lead to chaos.
Sources said the same position had earlier been taken by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries who were questioned by the agency. These statements will now be examined and cross-checked with accounts from police officials, some of whom have previously alleged that a delay in Vijay’s arrival and departure contributed to the stampede.
Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday in connection with the September 27, 2025 Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives and injured more than 60 people. He arrived in Delhi by a chartered flight around 10.30 am and reached the heavily barricaded CBI headquarters soon after, responding to a summons issued earlier this month.
After completing formalities, the actor-politician was questioned by a team from the CBI’s Anti-Corruption unit, which is handling the probe. Sources said Vijay has not been asked to appear again on Tuesday but is likely to be summoned for further questioning after the Pongal festival.
TVK leaders Aadhav Arjuna and Nirmal Kumar accompanied Vijay to Delhi. Anticipating a large gathering of supporters, Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces were deployed in and around the CBI office. Despite the security arrangements, a small group of Vijay’s fans managed to assemble near the premises.
The CBI has already questioned several TVK office bearers and has also summoned former Tamil Nadu ADG (law and order) S Davidson Devasirvatham as part of the investigation.
The central agency took over the case from a Special Investigation Team following a Supreme Court order that raised concerns over political overtones and public statements made by senior police officers. The apex court also set up a three-member supervisory committee headed by former judge Ajay Rastogi to oversee the probe, stressing the need for an impartial investigation.
Karur stampede
At least 41 people, including women and children, were killed and nearly 60 others injured in a stampede during a TVK campaign rally addressed by Vijay in Karur district on September 27, 2025. The incident occurred after the crowd became uncontrollable, with several people reportedly fainting due to overcrowding, forcing Vijay to pause his speech midway.
Eyewitnesses said women and children began collapsing as ambulance sirens were heard from around 7.30 pm. While police permission was granted for a gathering of 10,000 people, officials later estimated that nearly 50,000 people had turned up at the venue, which measured about 1.20 lakh square feet.
Following the incident, police registered cases against TVK district secretary Mathiazhagan, party general secretary Bussy Anand and joint general secretary CT Nirmal Kumar under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt to commit culpable homicide, rash acts endangering life and disobedience of lawful orders, along with sections of the Tamil Nadu Public Property Damage Act.
In his first public statement after the tragedy, Vijay said he was “deeply weighed down with sorrow” and announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh each for the families of those who died and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. Describing the loss as “irreparable”, he said no amount of money could compensate for the pain but assured that TVK would stand by the affected families and provide all possible support.