Karur stampede case: CBI issues notice to TVK leader Vijay to appear for questioning

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued a notice on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) to Tamiliga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, asking him to appear for questioning on January 12 at the agency headquarters in New Delhi in connection with the Karur stampede case.

The CBI has questioned several office bearers of the TVK in connection with the case, they said.

The agency has now decided to call Vijay in connection with the case, following which it may take a call on filing a charge sheet in the matter, they said.

On November 25, 2025, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) general secretary ‘Bussy’ Anand, general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna, and joint general secretary C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar appeared before the CBI for questioning in connection with the September 27, 2025 stampede, which claimed 41 lives at a rally addressed by party founder and actor Vijay. They were accompanied by K.P. Mathiyazhagan, party’s Karur West district secretary, and M.C. Pounraj, a party functionary.

On December 4, 2025, Karur Collector M. Thangavel appeared before the CBI officers again in connection with the stampede that claimed 41 lives at the rally on September 27.

It was his second appearance before the Central agency within three days. Acting on a summon, Mr. Thangavel met the officers on Tuesday (December 2, 2025). He was quizzed for more than two hours and answered a volley of questions prepared by the agency.

On October 13, 2025, the Supreme Court abruptly applied the brakes on a fledgling investigation of the Madras High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a State-constituted enquiry commission headed by Justice (retired) Aruna Jagadeesan. The Supreme Court directed the SIT and Justice Jagadeesan to handover papers and evidence to the officers of the CBI.

Acting on the Supreme Court’s interim orders, a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrived in Karur on October 17 to investigate the stampede.

The team is led by Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar. An Additional Superintendent of Police and a Deputy Superintendent of Police are part of the team that has been camping in Karur. Upon arrival, the team held discussions at the Circuit House close to the Collectorate.