Karur stampede: What did TVK leader Vijay tell CBI during his six-hour grilling?

Just before noon on Monday, a chartered aircraft from Chennai touched down at Delhi’s Palam airport. On board was Vijay — Tamil cinema’s 'Thalapathy' turned first-time political challenger, arriving to face the most serious scrutiny of his public life so far.

Within an hour, a convoy of vehicles made its way to the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Lodhi Road. Outside the heavily guarded complex, a small group of party workers from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) stood quietly, holding placards and watching every movement. There were no slogans, no raised voices, only the muted tension of a leader being questioned over a tragedy that left 41 people dead.

For nearly six hours, Vijay sat across the table from CBI officers, answering questions related to the Karur stampede — a deadly crowd crush that occurred at a political rally addressed by him in September last year.

According to sources, CBI questioned Vijay about the sequence of events leading up to the stampede, his delayed arrival at the venue, the swelling crowd that waited for hours, and the moment when chaos broke out. 

According to sources, during his questioning, Vijay told the CBI sleuths that neither Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) nor its functionaries were responsible for the Karur stampede, a position that mirrors the stand taken earlier by senior TVK members who were grilled as part of the probe. 

Vijay maintained that he chose to leave the rally venue after sensing that his continued presence amid the swelling crowd could lead to further chaos, rather than defusing it. 

Investigators have recorded his statement and are expected to closely analyse it in the coming days, corroborating his version with other material on record, including statements given by police officials. 

The police, in their submissions, have attributed the deadly stampede to delays in Vijay’s arrival at the venue, arguing that the prolonged wait led to overcrowding and loss of crowd control, a claim that now lies at the heart of the CBI’s effort to reconcile competing narratives and fix accountability for the tragedy.

CBI officials also examined rally schedules, security arrangements, communication records, and visual footage. Vijay was asked whether he was aware of crowd density levels, who made decisions on barricading and entry points, and whether warnings from local authorities were received or ignored. 

The Karur stampede marked a turning point for Vijay’s fledgling political party. Announced amid much fanfare, TVK was projected as a clean alternative in Tamil Nadu politics. The tragedy, however, brought uncomfortable questions about responsibility, crowd control, and the risks of personality-driven mobilisations.

The case took a dramatic turn when the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe, transferring the investigation from the Tamil Nadu police and citing the need for an independent inquiry. The court’s decision meant that Vijay, who had so far spoken only through statements and party responses, would eventually have to appear in person.

By evening, Vijay emerged from the CBI building without addressing the media. His convoy moved swiftly, avoiding cameras. Party workers folded their banners and dispersed quietly. There were no triumphant gestures, only the heavy stillness of an unresolved tragedy.

For the families of the 41 victims, the questioning offered a measure of movement in a case that has been slow and painful. For Vijay, it underscored how swiftly political ambition can collide with accountability.

As the CBI continues to analyse statements, footage, and records, the investigation remains open-ended. Whether responsibility will be fixed, and on whom, is yet to be determined. But for six hours in Delhi, the spotlight shifted from the star on stage to the man answering questions behind closed doors.