DMK Minister Warns of Possible Arrest of TVK Chief Vijay in Karur Stampede Probe

Chennai, Oct 2025 : Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister and senior DMK leader Duraimurugan on Saturday said that the state government would not hesitate to arrest Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay if the investigation into the Karur stampede points to his role. However, he stressed that there would be no arbitrary or politically motivated action.

“The judge was right in saying Vijay lacks leadership qualities. If circumstances warrant his arrest, we will arrest him, but there will be no witch-hunt or unnecessary arrests,” Duraimurugan told reporters in Vellore, as Tamil Nadu gears up for a deeper probe into the September 27 tragedy that left 41 people dead.

The Madras High Court has taken a stern view of the stampede, calling it a “man-made disaster.” The court has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Inspector General (IG) Asra Garg of Chennai North Zone, to conduct the probe.

Following the directive, investigation records from the Karur City police station are being shifted to Chennai for a court-monitored, high-level investigation aimed at fixing accountability.

Criminal cases have already been filed against senior TVK leaders — General Secretary N. Anand and Joint General Secretary Nirmal Kumar — under five sections of the Indian Penal Code related to negligence and endangering human life. The court, however, has gone further by raising questions about Vijay’s direct role and the conduct of other organisers.

Vijay’s reported decision to leave Karur immediately after the fatal crush has invited sharp criticism and intensified calls for accountability. Meanwhile, Namakkal district police are preparing to seize Vijay’s campaign bus after reviewing over two hours of video footage and 30 mobile clips from the rally site.

During a recent hearing, however, the High Court questioned the necessity of seizing the bus, stressing that any such move must have clear legal justification.

DMK Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, reacting to the developments in Chennai, said that while people should interpret the court’s remarks on Vijay’s leadership, she had full faith in the SIT.
“The SIT team formed by the High Court will conduct a fair and impartial investigation,” she said.

With the SIT stepping in and the court asking tough questions, the investigation is now expected to probe deeper into crowd control failures, political accountability, and possible negligence, as grieving families demand justice and the state faces pressure to ensure such a tragedy never recurs.