Karur Stampede: Vijay Stayed Inside Van For Long Time, Caused Overcrowding, Says FIR | India News

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay addresses supporters during a rally, in Namakkal. (PTI file photo)

Actor-politician Vijay remained inside his campaign vehicle for an extended period at the rally venue in Karur on September 27, which led to overcrowding and restlessness among the crowd, according to a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Tamil Nadu Police.

The rally, held at Velusamypuram, had attracted thousands of supporters who had come to hear Vijay speak. As per the FIR, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief arrived late and stayed inside his campaign van for a long time, triggering anxiety and excitement among the waiting crowd. The situation escalated into a stampede that claimed 41 lives and left at least 60 others injured.

The police have not registered a case against Vijay himself. However, three senior party functionaries have been named in the FIR — TVK Karur North district secretary Mathiazhagan, state general secretary Bussy Anand, and deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar.

They have been booked 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, along with Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992.

According to police, the crowd surged forward as people tried to catch a glimpse of Vijay. Many climbed steel sheds and trees for a better view. When these structures collapsed, people fell on those below, resulting in panic, trampling, and suffocation. The narrowness of the venue worsened the situation, and a lathi-charge was carried out to control the crowd. Several people who fainted were rushed to the Karur government hospital.

A senior police official confirmed that the stampede could have been avoided with better planning and crowd management.

Following the incident, Vijay was advised not to visit the hospital where the injured were being treated. A TVK source said the police believed his presence could cause further crowding.

Meanwhile, the state government has appointed retired Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to lead a one-person enquiry commission into the incident. The judge visited patients at the hospital and will submit a report after completing the investigation.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and promised action based on the Commission’s findings.

(With inputs from PTI)