CBI questions Vijay over Karur stampede deaths, asks why he left as chaos escalated

What happened: The CBI questioned TVK chief Vijay over the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives, focusing on crowd control failures and his early exit from the venue.

Why it matters now: The probe comes three months after the tragedy, as investigators tighten scrutiny on event accountability and political responsibility.

What changes for people: Findings could reshape permissions, security protocols, and liability rules for large public gatherings across Tamil Nadu.

Who is affected: Victims’ families, event organisers, political parties, and local administrations that clear mass events.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has questioned Vijay, founder and chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, over his role and decisions surrounding the Karur stampede, one of the deadliest crowd disasters in recent memory. Investigators sought clarity on crowd management, his late arrival, and why he left the venue as conditions deteriorated.

What the CBI asked Vijay

According to officials familiar with the questioning, the CBI focused on three core issues:

Delayed arrival: Whether scheduling changes contributed to crowd surges.

Crowd control: What arrangements were in place and who was responsible on the ground.

Early departure: Why Vijay left as the situation worsened, and whether that decision affected emergency response.

Vijay appeared before investigators three months after the incident, providing explanations and documents requested by the agency.

Background: How Karur turned fatal

The stampede occurred during a large public event in Karur, where attendance exceeded initial estimates. As movement bottlenecks formed, panic spread, leading to crushing injuries. Forty-one people died, and dozens were hurt.

State authorities had earlier ordered inquiries, while the CBI took over to examine potential lapses by organisers and officials, citing the scale of fatalities and public concern.