Tamil film superstar and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president, Vijay, emerged from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Chennai on Sunday after facing over six hours of intense questioning. The interrogation is part of the ongoing probe into the tragic stampede that occurred during a food distribution event organized by his fan club in Karur last year.
Marathon Questioning Session Concludes
The actor-politician, whose full name is Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, arrived at the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch office on College Road in Nungambakkam around 10:30 AM on January 12, 2025. He was summoned as a witness in the case. Vijay cooperated with the investigation and was seen leaving the premises shortly after 5 PM, marking a session that lasted more than six and a half hours.
Officials stated that the CBI team recorded his detailed statement regarding the sequence of events leading to the stampede. The questioning focused on the organization, planning, and permissions for the July 2024 event, where four people lost their lives and several others were injured in a chaotic rush for free food packets.
The Tragic Karur Stampede Incident
The incident under investigation took place on July 12, 2024, at a private school ground in Karur district. A massive crowd had gathered for a 'Thalapathy' Vijay fan club initiative to distribute food packets and gifts. The situation spiraled out of control, resulting in a deadly stampede.
Following the public outcry and demands for a thorough probe, the Tamil Nadu government initially ordered an investigation by the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID). However, bowing to pressure from the opposition and the victims' families, the state later recommended a CBI inquiry, which was accepted by the central government.
The CBI officially took over the case in late 2024, registering an FIR under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing hurt by act endangering life. The agency has since been examining the roles of the event organizers, local authorities, and the fan club's leadership.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
Vijay's questioning comes at a critical juncture, just months after he formally launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), with ambitions to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. The CBI's scrutiny of a high-profile political entrant has significant implications for the state's political landscape.
Legal experts suggest that while Vijay was examined as a witness, the CBI's findings could determine if there is evidence of criminal negligence against the organizers. The agency is likely to continue its probe by examining other fan club officials and local police personnel responsible for crowd management that day.
The families of the victims have been seeking justice and accountability for the lapses that led to the preventable tragedy. This CBI investigation is being closely watched as a test of impartiality and a measure of whether systemic failures will be addressed.
As the probe continues, all eyes are on the next moves of the CBI and how Vijay, a beloved public figure, navigates this legal and political challenge while maintaining his mass appeal.
