CBI Summons TVK Founder Vijay in Karur Stampede Case

Chennai, Jan 2026 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a summons to actor-turned-politician Vijay, founder and president of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), asking him to appear in person before the agency in New Delhi on January 12 in connection with the Karur stampede case that claimed 41 lives.

The summons relates to the tragic incident that occurred on September 27 at Veluchamipuram in Karur district, where a massive crowd had gathered for a political rally organised by the TVK. Vijay, who had recently entered active politics, addressed the rally, which witnessed an overwhelming turnout of supporters from various parts of the region. As the crowd size far exceeded expectations, disorder broke out at the venue, leading to a deadly stampede.

The incident triggered widespread public outrage across Tamil Nadu, with civil society groups, opposition parties and victims’ families demanding an impartial and independent investigation. In response, the probe was transferred from the Tamil Nadu Police to the CBI to ensure transparency and accountability.

Since taking over the investigation, the central agency has been scrutinising the sequence of events leading up to the stampede, including crowd control measures, permissions granted for the rally, deployment of volunteers, coordination with local authorities, and the overall preparedness of the organisers. The CBI is also examining whether established safety norms were followed and if warnings about crowd size were adequately addressed.

As part of the ongoing probe, senior TVK functionaries Anand, Adhav Arjun and party executive Nirmal Kumar appeared before the CBI at its New Delhi office earlier this week. They were questioned for nearly two hours on the third day of interrogation. After the session, Nirmal Kumar told reporters that video footage related to the Karur stampede had been handed over to investigators to assist the enquiry.

There had been speculation in recent weeks that Vijay himself would be summoned by the CBI. While some TVK leaders initially dismissed such reports as unfounded, the agency has now formally issued a summons seeking his explanation regarding the organisation of the rally, the arrangements made to manage the crowd, and the role of party leadership in overseeing the event.

The timing of the summons has drawn attention as it comes just days ahead of the scheduled release of Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan on January 9. However, sources said the investigation is proceeding strictly on the basis of evidence and timelines linked to the case.

Vijay has been directed to appear before the CBI in New Delhi on January 12 and cooperate fully with the investigation. He formally launched the TVK in February 2024, marking a significant shift from cinema to electoral politics. Since its formation, the party has attracted large crowds to its public events, positioning itself as an emerging political force in Tamil Nadu.

CBI officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that responsibility for lapses in crowd management and event planning will be determined based on documentary records, video evidence and witness testimonies.

Team Maverick.