TVK president Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi on Monday. He provided his official statement regarding the tragic stampede at his Karur campaign event on September 27, 2025. The incident resulted in the deaths of 41 people.
Vijay's Account of the Fatal Event
Sources close to the leader revealed the details of his testimony. Vijay squarely placed the blame on the police. He stated that poor crowd management by the authorities directly led to the deadly chaos.
According to Vijay, inadequate police deployment was a critical failure. He also highlighted the police's failure to clear road bottlenecks. These delays in accessing the venue created severe congestion. The situation became uncontrollable, culminating in the stampede.
Questioning and Denials
The questioning session lasted approximately seven hours. Investigators asked Vijay to narrate the entire sequence of events. He had to respond to 35 specific questions, along with several follow-up queries.
Officers probed him on multiple aspects. They asked about the expected crowd density and the actual footfalls. They also inquired if the police resorted to a lathi charge during the rally.
Vijay strongly denied all allegations against him. He described them as a targeted conspiracy. He claimed the accusations were aimed at him and his political party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Security and Future Summons
Vijay arrived at the CBI office around 11:30 AM. He departed at approximately 6:30 PM. His arrival prompted a significant security response. Police stepped up their presence after his fans gathered outside the building.
The actor-politician is likely to face another round of questioning. The investigating officer initially sought his presence on Tuesday. However, Vijay requested an exemption. He cited the ongoing Pongal festival celebrations. The CBI granted his request. He may be summoned again after the festival concludes. Vijay is scheduled to return to Chennai on Tuesday.
Broader CBI Probe Expands
On the same day, the CBI also summoned other senior officials. DGP (Armed Police) Davidson Devasirvatham and Central Zone IG Joshi Nirmal Kumar were called for questioning.
This is part of a wider investigation. Earlier, the agency examined Karur Collector M. Thangavel and SP K. Josh Thangiah. TVK functionaries were also questioned. These included General Secretary N. Anand, C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, and Karur District Secretary Mathiazhagan.
The CBI took over the probe from a special investigation team. This followed a Supreme Court order. The court acted on a petition filed by TVK itself, which sought an independent inquiry.
Political and Personal Challenges for Vijay
The CBI investigation adds to a series of challenges for Vijay. His latest film, 'Jana Nayagan', faces delays. The Central Board of Film Certification has not yet granted clearance. The film is touted to be his last acting project.
Politically, his party TVK continues to struggle to find allies. Despite his offers to share power, no political party has formally allied with him yet.
Political analyst R. Chandrasekaran commented on the party's situation. He noted that the Erode conference in December briefly restored some momentum. However, activities at the party headquarters have since slowed down. There have been no major announcements or mobilization exercises recently.
"The absence of Vijay has limited the party's reach and visibility," Chandrasekaran observed. The leader's focus on legal matters and the investigation is impacting the party's daily operations and public presence.
