TVK cadres are collecting the details of the family members of the stampede victims to disburse the party-announced compensation of ₹20 lakh each.
Published Oct 07, 2025 | 4:56 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2025 | 4:56 PM
TVK chief Vijay. Credit: x.com/TVKHQITWingOffl
Synopsis: Vijay reportedly told the families that the police had denied him permission to meet them in person, and he would visit Karur once he got the permission.
Ten days after the deadly stampede during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Tamil Nadu’s Karur, party chief and actor Vijay spoke to the members of several bereaved families for the first time on Tuesday, 7 October.
Sources said Vijay spoke to the families via video calls. Karur resident Anand Jyothi said Vijay spoke to him for about five minutes.
“This is an irreparable loss. Please think of me as one of your family members — I stand with you. I couldn’t come to Karur as police permission was not granted, but I will meet you in person as soon as I get approval,” Vijay reportedly told him.
Jyothi’s wife Hemalatha and children Sai Lakchana and Sai Jeeva were among the 41 people killed in the stampede at Velusamipuram in Karur on 27 September.
Meanwhile, TVK cadres started collecting the details of the family members of the stampede victims. The families were told that the details were necessary to disburse the party-announced compensation of ₹20 lakh each.
Vijay has come under fire for hurriedly leaving Karur soon after the incident. The Madras High Court noted his remorseless attitude.
Three days after the tragedy, Vijay issued a video message, challenging Chief Minister MK Stalin to act against him. He also alleged that the stampede was a result of sabotage.
Meanwhile, the TVK has approached the Supreme Court, seeking an order for a CBI probe into the tragedy.
TVK alleged in the petition that the tragedy occurred due to the negligence of the state administration.
Despite being aware that a large crowd would gather, the government failed to allocate an appropriate venue and did not provide adequate security or crowd-control measures, the petition said.
It further stated that the state police probe cannot be trusted and requests that the case be transferred to the CBI to ensure an impartial probe and accountability for those responsible.
A separate plea by BJP leader Uma Anandhan was also filed in the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court order dismissing his plea for a CBI probe into the Vijay rally stampede.
A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran acknowledged the appeal from Anandan and directed that the case be listed for hearing on 10 October.
On 27 September, Chief Minister Stalin ordered the formation of a one-member inquiry commission headed by retired judge Aruna Jegadeesan to investigate the incident.
Additionally, the BJP formed an eight-member fact-finding team comprising its MPs, who visited Karur last week and later urged Stalin to take immediate action.
