TVK Chief Vijay Arrives in Delhi, to Appear Before CBI in Karur Stampede Probe

Actor-turned-politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and is set to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Karur stampede case. The incident, which occurred during a party event in September 2025, claimed the lives of 41 people and left more than 60 injured.

Vijay flew to the national capital from Chennai on a chartered aircraft and is expected to reach the CBI headquarters around 11 am for questioning. His appearance comes as part of the ongoing federal investigation into one of the deadliest political-event stampedes in recent years in Tamil Nadu.

According to sources within TVK, the party has formally requested the Delhi Police to provide adequate security to its founder-leader during his stay in the capital. The request was made in view of the intense public attention surrounding the case and the high-profile nature of the investigation.

The CBI had issued a formal notice to Vijay earlier this month, asking him to appear before the agency for questioning. Officials say the summons is part of routine investigative procedure aimed at understanding the planning, crowd management, and safety measures adopted during the ill-fated event.

The Karur stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, while Vijay was addressing party workers and supporters at a large political gathering. What was meant to be a show of political strength turned tragic when overcrowding and alleged lapses in crowd control led to chaos, resulting in 41 deaths and dozens of injuries.

Since the incident, authorities have been collecting evidence, reviewing video footage, and recording statements from organizers, local officials, and eyewitnesses to piece together the sequence of events that led to the disaster.

The investigation was initially handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Tamil Nadu government. However, following a directive from the Supreme Court, the case was transferred to the CBI, which was asked to take over the probe to ensure an independent and comprehensive investigation.

Since assuming charge, the CBI has questioned several TVK office bearers and event organizers to determine accountability and examine whether proper permissions, safety protocols, and crowd management arrangements were in place ahead of the meeting.

Party sources reiterated that they have officially informed the Delhi Police about Vijay’s travel and scheduled appearance before the CBI, stressing that his security is a priority. They maintain that the party is fully cooperating with the investigation and has nothing to hide.

Officials familiar with the probe said the questioning is expected to focus on the preparations for the event, the role of party functionaries, coordination with local authorities, and the measures taken to prevent overcrowding and ensure public safety.

The CBI investigation remains ongoing, with investigators continuing to examine documentary evidence and witness testimonies. Vijay’s appearance before the agency is seen as a crucial development that could significantly influence the direction of the case and help establish how the tragic Karur stampede unfolded.