CBI revisits Karur rally site as TVK seeks nod for Vijay event
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has stepped up its examination of the tragic crowd crush that occurred at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally last year, while the party seeks permission for a large gathering ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu state election. Both developments mark a significant phase in the ongoing response to one of the deadliest incidents at a political rally in recent memory.
The calamity unfolded on 27 September 2025 in Velusamypuram, Karur district, when supporters gathered in vast numbers for a TVK campaign meeting addressed by party president and actor Vijay. A sudden surge in the crowd led to a crush that killed 41 people and left over 100 others injured, prompting widespread concern over crowd management and political rally safety.
In the latest phase of the investigation of Vijay Karur rally stampede, a three-member CBI team revisited the site as part of a detailed reconstruction exercise. The agency is compiling evidence and testimony to establish how the tragedy unfolded, documenting where survivors were standing at the time of the crush and photographing key locations to supplement the inquiry. Officials have also recorded statements from police personnel, local business owners, ambulance workers and family members of victims.
Sources say the CBI first took over the case in October 2025 after the Supreme Court of India ordered a comprehensive probe, replacing earlier state-level inquiries with a federal investigation under judicial oversight. The court’s directive highlighted concerns about impartiality, given the scale of the disaster and its political dimensions.
At the same time as the investigation continues, TVK’s Thanjavur unit has formally approached local police seeking permission to hold a significant meeting on 4 March 2026 with Vijay expected to attend. The party has proposed issuing QR-coded identity cards to around 4,900 functionaries to regulate attendance and improve safety measures at the event, which is slated to take place at a private ground along the Thanjavur–Trichy national highway.
Authorities are reviewing the request, with the Superintendent of Police set to decide whether to grant approval. The application comes amid heightened scrutiny of large political gatherings in the state, particularly after the Karur incident prompted calls for stricter crowd control and comprehensive safety planning.
In a related development, local police recently booked two TVK members for alleged negligence at a separate public meeting, citing safety lapses and unauthorised displays. The case is being investigated under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and state laws on public place safety.
As TVK navigates both political momentum and legal scrutiny, the coming weeks are expected to be crucial in shaping how large-scale political events are organised in Tamil Nadu, balancing electoral engagement with the imperative of public safety.
