Karur Stampede Probe: CBI Questions TVK Leader Vijay For 6 Hours - What Was Asked?

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Monday, questioned TVK leader Vijay for nearly six hours. Over the past seven days, the actor-turned-politician has been examined for a total of 13 hours in connection with the Karur stampede, which has been under CBI probe since last October on the directions of the Supreme Court.After the second round of questioning, the popular actor stepped out of his car, waved at the media, and left for his hotel. Both officials and TVK said that he has not been summoned for Tuesday.TVK leader and joint general secretary CT Nirmal Kumar later spoke to the media and said, “There are a lot of rumours going around since morning which are not true. We are here to cooperate. I can’t tell you what exactly happened

inside.”“We all know what has happened in Karur. MPs from Delhi have gone there and published a report. When the Home Minister was in Tamil Nadu, even TN BJP president Nainar Nagenthran openly mentioned in a meeting that sitting Karur MLA Senthil Balaji is responsible for the death of 41 people,” he added.Sources said nobody has been given a clean chit and statements of all key players, including police officers and TVK leader Vijay, are being examined.Also Read: Thalapathy Vijay Falls After Being Mobbed At AirportThe actor reached Delhi on Sunday evening and arrived at the CBI headquarters at 11 am on Monday. He was questioned by officials of the AC-II unit on the tenth floor. Last week, when he joined the probe for the first time, a booklet containing over 90 questions was given to him.Sources said Vijay, like his party leaders who were questioned earlier, maintained that neither he nor TVK was responsible for the Karur stampede. He claimed that “lax arrangements” on the part of the police and district administration could have contributed to the incident. He also said he never hurriedly left the venue after the stampede, sources added.Vijay was questioned on the tenth floor of the AC-II unit at the CBI headquarters by an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank, according to sources.On Monday, Vijay was again questioned about the incident, including his reported seven-hour delay in arriving at the venue. Officials said the questions were sequential and included detailed queries leading up to the stampede.He was also asked who in his party had sought permission for the event and what assurances the party had given regarding crowd management and police deployment. His party leaders had earlier shared correspondence with the police for the Karur political rally.

TVK not responsible for stampede: Vijay

On September 27, 2025, a stampede occurred during a political rally organised by TVK in Karur, resulting in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to more than 100 others.While Vijay has firmly denied that TVK was responsible for the stampede, Tamil Nadu police officers who earlier recorded statements have contradicted him and his party leaders.Sources said the officers claimed that the TVK party did not inform the Karur administration about the expected large turnout. The crowd reportedly swelled three times to 30,000, which police officials said could have triggered the stampede.The CBI has forensically examined the site and recorded statements from several witnesses. Last week, Vijay sought an exemption from questioning due to Pongal festivities and was asked to appear on January 19 instead.Sources said the line of questioning on Monday remained the same. They added that Vijay and TVK leaders have maintained a consistent stand, while the Tamil Nadu Police have blamed the party for the incident.As per procedure, the same questions were asked again to identify any contradictions or inconsistencies in the responses given by Vijay and his party leaders. On Monday, Vijay’s statement was re-examined primarily because the same set of answers had been given by all party leaders. Sources added that the statements of TVK leaders and Vijay are broadly similar and that it appears some answers were reiterated.

Sources said some of the questions asked included:

The reason for the seven-hour delay in arriving at the venueWhether party workers coordinated with the police and district administration to control the crowd that swelled from 10,000 to 30,000.Details regarding delays in Vijay’s and party workers’ movements.Documents related to permission for the event and who organised it in Karur.The party’s organisational structure and who was responsible for planning the eventWhether any risk assessment was conducted with the administration prior to the eventFrom TVK, the CBI has questioned Aadhav Arjuna, Bussy Anand, CTR Nirmal Kumar, and Mathiyalagan. The CBI has also examined Vijay’s driver.