What Happened in the Karur Stampede Case? CBI Summons 306 Individuals for Questioning
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The CBI has summoned 306 individuals for questioning in the Karur stampede case.
- The incident resulted in 41 fatalities and over 60 injuries.
- Investigators are focusing on safety regulations and crowd management.
- Testimonies from witnesses will help identify accountability.
- Further inquiries will be conducted at the TVK headquarters in Chennai.
Chennai, Nov 3 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned 306 individuals for questioning regarding the devastating stampede that took place in Karur on September 27, during an event featuring TVK leader and actor Vijay.
This tragic incident, occurring in Veluchamipuram, resulted in 41 fatalities and left over 60 people injured, igniting significant public outrage and political scrutiny.
The CBI team, spearheaded by officer Praveen Kumar and operating from a temporary base in Karur, is intensifying the investigation under the guidance of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi along with Additional Directors General of Police (ADGPs) Sonal Mishra and Sumit Saran.
Investigators are conducting thorough site examinations and engaging with witnesses to reestablish the timeline leading up to the tragedy.
Officials reported that the team assessed the crowd capacity at the venue to verify if the organizers adhered to safety regulations. They are also interviewing local shop owners near the site to collect eyewitness testimonies.
“The investigation is centered around failures in crowd management, event organization, and the role of officials who sanctioned the gathering,” sources indicated.
The CBI has already interrogated Karur City Police Inspector Manivannan, who authorized the event, for over two hours regarding safety measures, communication with higher authorities, and coordination with the organizers.
Now, the agency has summoned 306 individuals for questioning, which includes family members of victims and participants mobilized by members of TVK’s Thamizhaga Rashtriya Peravai (TRP).
Officials emphasized that these testimonies will help pinpoint accountability at multiple levels, potentially revealing negligence by event organizers or law enforcement.
Furthermore, the agency plans to conduct additional investigations at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, to scrutinize the chain of command and instructions leading up to the unfortunate event.
This Karur stampede is among the most catastrophic incidents in Tamil Nadu in recent years, raising serious concerns about crowd management, safety protocols, and political accountability during major public events.