CBI Intensifies Probe into Karur Stampede; TVK Chief Vijay Summoned

Vijay, actor-turned-politician and leader of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, has been summoned to appear before the CBI for questioning regarding the deadly Karur stampede. The inquiry centers on crowd control failures and event timing discrepancies, following the Supreme Court's directive for a thorough investigation.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Chief Vijay has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further questioning related to the tragic stampede in Karur, sources indicated. The event, which took place on September 27, 2022, resulted in 41 fatalities during a public outreach program led by Vijay.

In January, nine police personnel who were on duty during the incident were interrogated at the Karur CBI office. Meanwhile, Vijay participated in a second round of questioning at the CBI's Delhi office. Authorities are scrutinizing the detailed sequence of events and security protocols from the day of the incident.

The CBI, acting on the Supreme Court's directive, has transitioned the investigation from Tamil Nadu Police and is exploring the circumstances that led to the calamity. A significant aspect under investigation is a '7-hour delay' which possibly escalated the crowd size and exacerbated the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)