The CBI re-registered the FIR, naming TVK’s Karur District Secretary Mathiyazhagan as Accused No. 1, along with N Anand, CDR Nirmal Kumar, and others.
Published Oct 31, 2025 | 10:56 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 31, 2025 | 10:56 PM
The location where the stampede occurred in Karur.
Synopsis: The CBI team summoned several local witnesses to the government Tourist Bungalow in Karur, where they have been stationed during the investigation. Those questioned included residents, a photographer, and a departmental store owner, all of whom had earlier been examined by the SIT.
A CBI team inspected the scene of a stampede in Karur, which killed 41 people during a rally attended by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay on 27 September.
The Supreme Court had directed the CBI to take over the probe. Led by Praveen Kumar, the team inspected the accident scene on Thursday, 30 October. The investigators used 3D laser scanners and other advanced forensic tools to document and analyse the scene.
On September 27, during a campaign event organised by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) — actor Vijay’s political party — in Veluchamipuram, Karur, a massive crowd surge led to the deaths of 41 people, with over 100 others injured.
Taking note of the tragedy, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe and also formed a monitoring committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to oversee the investigation.
Following the directive, the CBI took over the case from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and began its inquiry in mid-October.
After receiving all relevant documents from the SIT, the CBI re-registered the FIR, naming TVK’s Karur District Secretary Mathiyazhagan as Accused No. 1 (A1), along with N Anand, CDR Nirmal Kumar, and others.
The agency has since been conducting witness examinations and reviewing all materials submitted by the SIT.
Following a brief Deepavali break, the CBI team resumed its inquiry this week, focusing on questioning direct eyewitnesses and individuals with firsthand knowledge of the events leading to the stampede.
On Friday, 31 October, the team summoned several local witnesses to the government Tourist Bungalow in Karur, where they have been stationed during the investigation. Those questioned included residents, a photographer, and a departmental store owner, all of whom had earlier been examined by the SIT.
In total, four people appeared for questioning today after receiving official summons from the agency.
Among those summoned was Karur Town Police Inspector Manivannan. He was interviewed for over an hour regarding the police’s handling of the crowd and their actions on the day of the tragedy.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
