In a dramatic turn of events, Tamil cinema superstar-turned-politician Vijay has stepped into the eye of a legal storm. The chief of the newly formed Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) party appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi for questioning in connection with the Karur stampede probe—a tragic incident that left 41 people dead and over 60 injured during a political event in September 2025.
The development marks a critical phase in an investigation now under federal control, following a direct order from the Supreme Court of India. With public outrage still simmering and families demanding accountability, the CBI’s scrutiny of Vijay—the event’s chief organizer—has placed immense pressure on both the actor and his fledgling political outfit.
Table of Contents
- What Happened in Karur? The Tragedy Recap
- Why the Supreme Court Transferred the Case to CBI
- The Karur Stampede Probe: Vijay’s Role Under Scrutiny
- What the CBI Is Investigating: Key Angles
- Public and Political Reactions
- Legal Implications for Vijay and TVK
- Conclusion: A Test of Accountability and Leadership
- Sources
What Happened in Karur? The Tragedy Recap
On September 18, 2025, thousands gathered at the Karur Municipal Grounds in Tamil Nadu for a major political rally organized by TVK, marking one of Vijay’s first large-scale public appearances since launching his party. What began as a celebration of democratic engagement quickly descended into chaos.
According to eyewitnesses and initial police reports, overcrowding, poor crowd management, and the sudden collapse of temporary barricades triggered a fatal stampede near the main exit. Panic spread rapidly, and emergency response was delayed due to narrow access roads and lack of on-ground medical personnel .
The final toll: 41 lives lost, including women and children, and more than 60 injured—many critically. The images of trampled bodies and grieving families sparked national outrage and immediate calls for a high-level inquiry.
Why the Supreme Court Transferred the Case to CBI
Initially, the Tamil Nadu state police launched an investigation. However, mounting public skepticism about impartiality—given Vijay’s political clout and the ruling DMK’s complex relationship with new parties—led to petitions in the Supreme Court.
In November 2025, the apex court took suo motu cognizance, citing “serious lapses in event planning and potential criminal negligence.” It ordered the case transferred to the CBI to ensure a “free, fair, and transparent investigation” . This rare judicial intervention underscored the gravity of the incident and the need for institutional credibility.
The Karur stampede probe: Vijay’s Role Under Scrutiny
Vijay, who founded TVK in 2024 with a promise of “clean politics,” is now at the center of the CBI’s probe—not as a suspect per se, but as the chief organizer and public face of the ill-fated rally. The agency is examining whether proper permissions were obtained, if safety protocols were ignored, and whether cost-cutting measures compromised infrastructure quality.
During his appearance at the CBI headquarters in Delhi on January 11, 2026, Vijay was questioned for over six hours. Sources indicate investigators focused on:
- His direct involvement in approving the venue layout and security plan.
- Communications with local authorities regarding crowd estimates.
- Whether warnings from ground staff about overcrowding were ignored.
Vijay’s legal team maintains he acted in good faith and relied on professional event managers. But the CBI is reportedly building a case around “culpable negligence”—a charge that could carry serious consequences if proven.
What the CBI Is Investigating: Key Angles
Beyond Vijay’s role, the probe spans multiple dimensions:
- Event Permits & Compliance: Were fire safety, crowd capacity, and emergency exit norms violated?
- Contractor Accountability: Who built the flimsy barricades that collapsed? Were substandard materials used?
- Local Administration Failure: Did district officials ignore red flags or fail to deploy adequate police?
- Post-Incident Response: Was there a delay in calling ambulances or declaring a disaster protocol?
[INTERNAL_LINK:india-crowd-disaster-safety-laws] Experts note that India lacks a centralized law for mass gathering safety—a gap this tragedy may finally force lawmakers to address.
Public and Political Reactions
The opposition AIADMK and BJP have demanded Vijay’s immediate arrest, calling the stampede “a direct result of political arrogance.” Meanwhile, DMK leaders have stayed cautious, urging “due process” while acknowledging the victims’ pain.
Civil society groups, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), have filed affidavits urging the CBI to also examine systemic failures in Tamil Nadu’s public event regulations . Families of the deceased continue protests outside the Karur collectorate, holding placards that read: “We want justice, not promises.”
Legal Implications for Vijay and TVK
If the CBI finds evidence of criminal negligence, Vijay could face charges under Sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 337/338 (causing hurt by endangering life) of the Indian Penal Code. While not bailable offenses per se, they carry potential jail terms and could severely damage his political credibility ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
For TVK—a party banking on Vijay’s clean image—the scandal poses an existential threat. Early opinion polls show a 12% drop in voter trust since the incident .
Conclusion: A Test of Accountability and Leadership
The Karur stampede probe is far more than a criminal investigation—it’s a litmus test for how India handles accountability when public figures organize mass events. As the CBI pieces together the chain of failures, the nation watches to see whether justice will be symbolic or substantive. For Vijay, once hailed as a messiah of ethical politics, the path forward is fraught with legal peril and moral reckoning.
Sources
- Times of India. “Karur stampede probe: CBI to grill TVK chief Vijay in Delhi; charge sheet decision next.” January 11, 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Supreme Court of India. “Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 12 of 2025 – Regarding Karur Stampede.” November 28, 2025.
- PUCL Statement. “Demand for Independent Probe into Karur Tragedy.” October 5, 2025.
- Centre for Public Opinion Research (CPOR). “Post-Stampede Trust Survey: Tamil Nadu Political Parties.” December 2025.
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). “Guidelines for Crowd Management at Public Events.” https://ncrb.gov.in