Vijay Appears Before CBI in Karur Stampede Case, Probe Focuses on Crowd Management and Event Planning

Chennai, Jan 2026 : Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and actor-turned-politician Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at its headquarters in New Delhi on Monday in connection with the Karur stampede case, complying with a summons issued earlier this month. The appearance marks a significant development in the Supreme Court–mandated probe into the tragic incident that occurred during a TVK-linked public event in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district.

Ahead of Vijay’s questioning, the TVK leadership had sought enhanced security arrangements from police authorities in the national capital, citing concerns over the safety of the party founder. Officials confirmed that the interrogation began around noon and was conducted in the presence of a Superintendent of Police and an Inspector.

The investigation is being carried out under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, which ordered an independent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the fatal stampede. The incident had triggered widespread concern over crowd control, administrative preparedness and accountability during large political gatherings.

According to officials familiar with the probe, the CBI is seeking clarity on the sequence of events leading up to the stampede. A major focus is on how Vijay’s convoy moved through a densely packed crowd and whether there was adequate coordination between party organisers, district authorities and local police on the ground. Investigators are examining if standard operating procedures for crowd management were followed.

Sources said the agency is also looking into whether proper risk assessments were conducted prior to the event. Investigators are scrutinising if essential arrangements such as regulated entry and exit points, barricading, emergency response mechanisms and basic amenities like drinking water were in place to manage the swelling crowd.

Vijay is expected to be questioned on when he was first informed about the stampede, the exact time he reached the venue and when he departed. These details are considered critical for reconstructing the timeline of events and determining whether any delays or miscalculations contributed to the chaos.

A key area of investigation is the nearly seven-hour delay between Vijay’s scheduled arrival and his eventual appearance at the venue. Officials believe this prolonged wait may have led to a sharp increase in crowd density, creating conditions that ultimately resulted in the stampede.

In the days preceding Vijay’s appearance, the CBI examined Tamil Nadu Police personnel who were part of his security detail on the day of the incident. They were questioned at a base camp in Karur regarding convoy movement, crowd-control measures and the security protocols that were implemented.

The agency has also recorded statements from senior district officials, including the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police who were present at the venue. Investigators are probing who applied for permission to hold the event, which authority approved the venue and at what stage Vijay was informed about the rally’s planning and logistics.

Officials noted that the crowd size far exceeded initial estimates, reportedly surging from around 10,000 to nearly 30,000 people. This sharp escalation has raised serious questions about preparedness, inter-agency coordination and contingency planning.

The questioning is expected to continue as the CBI pieces together the planning, execution and on-ground management of the Karur event to establish accountability for the tragic stampede.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)