Following the tragic stampede at actor Vijay's rally in Karur on September 27, 2025, which resulted in 40 fatalities and numerous injuries, the actor's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has alleged a conspiracy and is moving to the Madras High Court seeking a CBI probe into the incident.
TVK's legal coordinator, Arivazhagan, stated that the party has filed a petition urging the court to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Arivazhagan claims that the party has received reliable information from locals and CCTV footage indicating the involvement of ruling party functionaries, alleging a criminal conspiracy by the DMK behind the stampede. The matter is expected to be raised before the Madurai bench of the High Court.
In response to the tragedy, Vijay has announced that ₹20 lakh would be given to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede. He expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating, "It is not a huge amount for the loss you have suffered. I know your loss cannot be replaced. It is an irreparable loss".
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu police have registered a criminal case against senior leaders of Vijay's party, including N Anand, TVK's general secretary, CT Nirmal Kumar, and Karur West district secretary Mathiyazhagan. They have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and under the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act.
The DMK-led state government has criticized Vijay and the TVK, alleging violations of safety guidelines at the rally. Government sources claim that the organizers did not make proper arrangements for drinking water and food, leading to people fainting in the crowd. They also stated that Vijay arrived at the venue approximately seven hours late, causing the crowd to gather for an extended period in a cramped location. According to NDTV sources, the venue had a capacity of only 10,000 people, but nearly 27,000 gathered.
TVK has denied these charges, insisting that the delay was due to traffic congestion and that they did not violate any police conditions. Arivazhagan questioned why only the Karur rally faced issues, while previous rallies in other locations went smoothly, raising serious doubts about the government's claims.
In related developments, Justice N Senthilkumar is scheduled to hear an urgent petition seeking a ban on actor Vijay's TVK from holding public gatherings until the Karur stampede inquiry is completed. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin stated that a commission led by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan would investigate the incident, and Chief Minister M K Stalin would take appropriate action based on the panel's report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased.
