The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a summons to actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam leader Vijay in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Karur stampede in which 41 people were killed, and several others were injured.
This is the third time the central agency has summoned Vijay. The actor had previously appeared before the CBI at its Delhi headquarters on January 12 and January 19. Sources said the agency had already collected material evidence and recorded statements from him. Vijay was questioned by officials for several hours on both dates in a closed room.
Sources said the agency will seek additional information and material evidence requiring further clarification during Tuesday’s enquiry.
Initially, the investigation was handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). However, based on a petition filed by the TVK representatives, the Supreme Court directed that the case be transferred to the CBI. The top court had also directed the formation of a special investigation committee headed by retired judge Ajay Rastogi, who visited Karur and sought a ground report.
Acting on the Supreme Court's instructions, the CBI gathered evidence and examined witnesses to investigate the circumstances that led to the stampede. However, the timing of the CBI summons raises questions as it comes at a time when Vijay is getting ready to interview his partymen for candidate selection for the upcoming elections and is also making a campaign tour plan.
Three days before, Vijay, while speaking at a campaign rally in Thanjavur, indicated that he is under pressure from two political parties and is not being allowed to perform. He did not name any party explicitly, though his party cadres and fans interpreted his remarks as referring to the DMK and the BJP.
In a related development, the CBFC review committee, which was scheduled to conduct a review of his most anticipated JanaNayagan movie, postponed the proceedings indefinitely without mentioning the date. It is said that one of the review committee members was unwell, and so the panel could not take the film for review for issuance of a censor certificate.
JanaNayagan was slated for release on January 9 and was expected to be Vijay's blockbuster just ahead of the election. However, the film hit a roadblock with the producers, KVN Productions, taking the legal route. Later, the production company withdrew the petition from the Madras High Court and went to the review committee.
On the other hand, Vijay is also caught in a slew of controversies after his wife Sangeetha, filed a divorce petition and also sought directions from the court to allow her right of residence in her matrimonial home, which is currently controlled by Vijay. She had also alleged that the actor politician is in "an adulterous relationship with a lady actor".
All of these moves are being seen as political pressure on Vijay to align his TVK with the NDA in Tamil Nadu, as he is expected to cut into AIADMK and BJP votes in the upcoming elections.
