Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Joseph Vijay has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a third round of questioning on March 10 in Delhi, as part of the investigation into the Karur rally stampede on September 27, 2025, in Tamil Nadu.
The stampede took place during a TVK political rally in Karur, where 41 people, including women and children, died due to overcrowding and alleged poor crowd management. The tragedy triggered a nationwide debate on safety arrangements at large political gatherings.
Vijay had earlier appeared before the CBI on January 12 and January 19, when investigators questioned him for several hours regarding the planning and organisation of the rally. During the first session in January, he was reportedly questioned for over six hours.
According to sources, Vijay denied any responsibility on his party's part and instead pointed to lapses by local police authorities in managing the crowd during the event.
The CBI is examining several aspects of the rally, including event planning, crowd-control measures, witness statements, and video evidence from the venue. Investigators are also reviewing footage showing the chaos during the stampede.
So far, no charges have been filed in the case.
The investigation gained national attention after the Supreme Court emphasised the need for an impartial probe. A bench comprising Justices J. K. Maheshwari and N. V. Anjaria observed that the stampede had left a deep impact on citizens across the country.
The bench stated that public faith in the investigation process must be restored, adding that one way to achieve this is by ensuring the probe remains independent, impartial and unbiased.
The latest summons comes at a politically sensitive time, as TVK is preparing for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Meanwhile, families of the victims have continued to demand accountability and justice for those who lost their lives in the incident.
