The tragic stampede at actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur on Saturday, September 27, 2025, has resulted in an FIR naming three members of Vijay's party. As of Monday, September 29, 2025, the death toll has risen to 41, with 18 women and 10 children among the deceased. Mathiazhagan, the district secretary of TVK, has been arrested in connection with the incident and is named as the prime accused in the FIR.
The FIR also names Bussy Anand, the state general secretary, and CTR Nirmal Kumar, the state joint secretary, as accused. According to a police official, the three party leaders have been charged under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 125 (endangering life), and 223 (disobedience to order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992.
The FIR alleges that TVK functionaries ignored police warnings regarding the uncontrollable crowd and the potential for dangerous conditions. It states that the functionaries were warned about creating unnecessary expectations that could lead to suffocation, grievous injury, and death. The FIR further alleges that the office-bearers failed to prevent cadres from sitting on tin sheets atop shops and tree branches, which contributed to the chaos. According to the FIR, cadres perched atop tin sheets and tree branches fell on people standing below, leading to many choking.
The FIR also claims that Vijay's delayed arrival at Velusamypuram in Karur district contributed to the overcrowding and restlessness among the people. The police report indicates that Vijay entered Karur district around 4:45 pm but did not reach Velusamypuram junction until 7 pm, shortly before the stampede occurred. The FIR alleges that Vijay "deliberately" delayed his arrival and made unscheduled stops, conducting roadshows to "display his political strength". The bus carrying Vijay made unscheduled stops, a 'roadshow' for which no permission was sought.
The FIR states that the rally was scheduled to start at 9 am, and a large crowd had gathered by 11 am. Vijay was initially expected to speak at noon but arrived at 7 pm, allegedly delaying his arrival to build 'unnecessary expectations'. The police said they had been notified of a crowd of 10,000, but over 25,000 turned up.
In response to the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has stated that political parties and public organizations should establish guidelines for organizing public events responsibly. He announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh each to the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that families of the deceased would receive Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, with Rs 50,000 for those injured.
The state government has constituted a one-person enquiry commission under retired Justice Jagadeesan to investigate the incident. Vijay's TVK has filed a petition with the Madras High Court, requesting that the investigation be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In addition to the FIR against TVK members, three individuals, including a BJP State Secretary and a TVK member, have been arrested for spreading rumors about the Karur stampede.
