Karur Stampede: Investigation Launched After 40 Dead at Vijay Rally

The blame game has begun following a deadly stampede at actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which left at least 40 people dead and over 100 injured on Saturday. Three of the injured remain in critical condition. The victims’ bodies were handed over to their families on Sunday after post-mortem examinations.

FIR and Initial Findings

Police have ruled out any intelligence failure. Vijay reportedly arrived three hours late at the rally, held for his party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). Around 25,000 people attended, far exceeding the 10,000-person estimate approved by authorities.

An FIR filed at Karur town police station names TVK officials Madhiazhagan (Karur North district secretary), Bussy Anand (general secretary), and CTR Nirmal Kumar (joint general secretary), charging them under sections 105 (culpable homicide), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and 125 (endangering life of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Police said the rally arrangements were inadequate, with insufficient drinking water and violations of conditions set by authorities. The specially designed campaign bus was stopped 50 metres from the designated spot, but organisers insisted on parking it elsewhere. Vijay remained inside the vehicle for ten minutes, aggravating the restless crowd.

Political Reactions

TVK counsel S Arivazhagan alleged a political conspiracy and demanded either a court-monitored probe or an independent investigation. He also accused the state government and police of rushing autopsies and failing to properly identify victims.

Karnataka BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy blamed both the government and Vijay for crowd mismanagement, calling the rally “unfortunate” and “a failure of planning and control.” Congress leader Supriya Shrinate echoed that leaders hold responsibility but emphasized solidarity with victims’ families.

Relief and Inquiry

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin met families of the victims and announced ex-gratia relief of ₹10 lakh for the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured. He assured that strict action would follow once the investigation concludes.

Stalin has appointed Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to head a committee probing the stampede. A petition has also been filed by an injured attendee, N Senthilkannan, seeking a ban on future TVK rallies until inquiries are completed.