New Delhi, January 12 — Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay was questioned for nearly seven hours at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters on Monday in connection with the Karur stampede case, sources said.
During the questioning, Vijay maintained that neither his party nor its functionaries were responsible for the stampede in Karur last September, which claimed 41 lives and left more than 100 people injured. Sources said this was the same position earlier taken by party functionaries who had been questioned in the case.
Sources added that Vijay’s statement will be analyzed and corroborated with statements from police officials, who had earlier claimed that a considerable delay on the part of the actor contributed to the stampede. Vijay also told investigators that he left the venue as he felt his continued presence could have led to chaos and disorder, sources said.
The CBI is likely to summon Vijay again for further questioning. However, he has sought an exemption for Tuesday due to the Pongal festival, and the agency may call him on a later date, officials said.
So far, the CBI has questioned several individuals from Vijay’s party as well as officials from the Tamil Nadu Police. The agency took over the investigation from the state police in October last year following a Supreme Court order and has since been examining the circumstances surrounding the stampede at a political event in Karur.
The CBI had earlier issued a notice to Vijay under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, directing him to appear for examination. The notice was served earlier this month, with the summons dated January 6. The probe relates to the stampede that occurred on September 27, 2025, during a TVK campaign programme in Karur district.
As part of the investigation, the agency has already questioned several senior TVK functionaries in New Delhi. Party leaders have submitted video footage to investigators, alleging lapses on the part of the Tamil Nadu government.
The CBI has also examined the campaign vehicle used by Vijay during the event, and the driver has been questioned. The Karur stampede occurred during a massive political gathering, triggering widespread public outrage and prompting judicial and legal scrutiny.
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