Actor-Politician Vijay Requests CBI to Postpone Further Questioning Over Karur Stampede

Actor and politician Vijay, chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has sought a postponement of further questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the Karur stampede incident. The request was made amid his current commitments, including work surrounding the release of his latest film Jana Nayagan and the Pongal festival.

The Karur tragedy occurred during a political rally in September 2025, when a massive crowd surge at the event turned chaotic and led to the deaths of 41 people and injuries to many others. Due to the scale of the incident and questions over crowd safety arrangements, the Supreme Court ordered the probe to be conducted by the CBI. Vijay has already appeared for questioning once, spending several hours answering investigators’ queries.

According to party officials, Vijay asked the CBI to defer the next round of questioning to a later date, allowing him to attend to cultural and professional responsibilities. His legal team and aides said the timing of the festival celebration and final promotional work for his film release made it difficult to participate in further questioning immediately.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has also alleged that there are multiple lapses in the handling of the Karur case, raising concerns about inconsistencies in witness accounts and official records. Party leaders have pointed to differing reports on police deployment figures at the rally and other aspects of the event’s management, which they say warrant careful re-examination.

Supporters of Vijay have argued that investigation timelines should be adjusted to accommodate his commitments, especially those tied to the cultural calendar and the film industry. Meanwhile, critics say that delaying questioning may constrain the pace of the probe into a tragedy that left many families grieving and demanding accountability.

Investigators have been examining a wide range of evidence, including crowd control arrangements, security planning, and the sequence of events leading up to the stampede. Officials have analysed visual footage, eyewitness testimonies and organisational records to piece together what led to the chaotic outcome at the rally.

As the investigation progresses, the CBI is expected to set a new date for Vijay’s questioning, taking into account both procedural requirements and the deferral request. The case continues to draw public scrutiny due to its scale and political implications.

The Karur stampede has also triggered discussions on event management and safety protocols at large gatherings, prompting calls for clearer regulations and better infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies in the future.