Stampede case: After 7-hour questioning, Vijay waves at supporters outside CBI HQ

Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay spent nearly seven hours at the Central Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Delhi on March 15 in connection with the 2025 Karur stampede case, leaving the premises in the evening and waving at supporters gathered outside.

Vijay arrived at the CBI headquarters earlier in the day and was questioned by investigators about the circumstances surrounding the stampede that occurred during his political outreach programme in Tamil Nadu last year.

As he exited the building, the actor-politician briefly acknowledged the crowd waiting outside, smiling and waving before leaving the premises.

STAMPEDE DURING POLITICAL OUTREACH PROGRAMME

The tragedy took place on September 27 during a public outreach programme organised by Vijay’s party in Karur. A massive crowd had gathered for the event when a stampede broke out, leaving 41 people dead.

The case initially came under investigation by a state-level Special Investigation Team. The Supreme Court later ordered that the probe be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, calling for an independent and impartial inquiry into the incident.

QUESTIONS OVER DELAY AND CROWD MANAGEMENT

Investigators have been examining several aspects of the event, including crowd management arrangements and the sequence of events on the day of the rally.

One of the key issues under scrutiny is an alleged seven-hour delay between the scheduled start of the programme and Vijay’s arrival at the venue. Officials are probing whether the delay contributed to the swelling of the crowd and the eventual loss of control.

PROBE INTO PLANNING OF THE EVENT

The agency is also reviewing documents related to permissions obtained for the rally and seeking clarity on who organised the programme in Karur.

Within the party structure, investigators are examining how the event was planned, who took the decision to hold it in Karur and when Vijay was informed about the programme.

Officials are also looking into whether Vijay’s team carried out any prior risk assessment in coordination with the district administration, and whether arrangements such as drinking water facilities and designated entry and exit points were in place for the crowd.

CARAVAN MOVEMENT ALSO UNDER LENS

The movement of Vijay’s modified caravan through the gathering is another focus of the investigation. The CBI is examining how the vehicle moved through the dense crowd and whether there was adequate coordination with the local police.

Investigators are also trying to determine when Vijay became aware of the stampede and what events followed, including the exact timeline of his arrival at and departure from the venue.

The inquiry into the Karur stampede continues as the agency pieces together the chain of events that led to the deadly crowd surge.

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