NEW DELHI: Months after the Karur tragedy in Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay on Monday (Jan 12) appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at its New Delhi headquarters in connection with the case.
Vijay, who arrived in Delhi from Chennai by a private flight, spent around six hours at the CBI office and left in the evening after 6pm.
The agency had summoned the TVK chief and actor for questioning in connection with the deadly stampede that took place at his party’s political rally in Karur district of Tamil Nadu on September 27 last year.
No details of the CBI questioning of the popular actor-turned-politician were available. According to CBI sources, he is likely to be questioned again.
At least 41 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the stampede that took place at Veluchamipuram near Karur.
A massive crowd had come to attend the TVK campaign rally, which led to severe overcrowding.
Due to the alleged inadequate arrangements to manage the massive crowd, a stampede occurred, resulting in deaths and injuries.
The probe so far
A widespread public outrage followed. The matter also reached the judiciary, with the Supreme Court ordering the CBI to lead the investigation.
Following the top court’s directions, a special CBI team from Delhi travelled to Karur to carry out a detailed probe. The team has camped in Karur for several weeks.
So far, over 200 individuals, including family members of the deceased, injured victims, ambulance drivers, eyewitnesses, and local residents, have been examined by the CBI team and their statements recorded.
Several officials and political functionaries have also been questioned in connection with the matter. These include TVK leaders N Anand, Adhav Arjun, and CTR Nirmal Kumar.
The Karur District Collector and the Superintendent of Police have also been examined. Many of those questioned have also been summoned to Delhi.
The CBI team also reconstructed the scene of the tragedy in Karur as part of the technical and forensic investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the stampede and to identify possible lapses.
News agency IANS had earlier reported that the CBI’s line of questioning was likely to focus on crowd management, security arrangements, permissions, and the overall conduct of the rally.
The Union Home Ministry, ahead of Vijay’s appearance before the CBI in Delhi, had asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure adequate security for the actor.
Vijay’s questioning in the Karur stampede case assumes political significance in view of the upcoming Assembly Elections in Tamil Nadu. - The Statesman/ANN
