Is CBI Interrogating TVK Leader Vijay Regarding the Karur Stampede?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chennai, Jan 12 (NationPress) The founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and prominent actor-politician Vijay appeared at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in New Delhi on Monday in relation to the Karur stampede incident, responding to a summons issued earlier this month.
The party had previously urged police officials in the national capital to ensure safety for its leader during his appearance.
According to officials, the questioning commenced around noon, attended by a Superintendent of Police and an Inspector.
This investigation is being carried out under the direction of the Supreme Court, which mandated an independent inquiry into the events leading to the tragic stampede during a TVK-associated event in Karur.
Officials indicate that the CBI aims to clarify the sequence of events prior to the incident, particularly focusing on how Vijay’s convoy navigated a densely populated crowd and whether there was sufficient coordination among local police, district officials, and event organizers.
Investigators are also looking into whether adequate risk assessments were conducted prior to the event and if essential crowd-control measures—such as regulated entry and exit points, drinking water access, and barricades—were established.
Sources reveal that the agency plans to inquire when Vijay first learned of the stampede, the time he arrived at the venue, and when he left.
These particulars are vital for reconstructing the timeline of events.
A significant area of interest is the nearly seven-hour delay between the scheduled arrival of Vijay and his eventual appearance at the venue, which investigators believe may have exacerbated the crowd surge and subsequent chaos.
In the days preceding Vijay’s questioning, the CBI interrogated Tamil Nadu Police personnel assigned to his security on the day of the incident.
They were interviewed at a base camp in Karur regarding the convoy's movement and the security protocols implemented.
The agency has also documented statements from district officials, including the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police who were present at the event.
Investigators are further probing who applied for the event permits, who sanctioned the venue, and at what point Vijay was informed about the rally arrangements.
Officials have noted that the crowd size reportedly surged beyond expectations, escalating from an estimated 10,000 to around 30,000 individuals, raising concerns regarding preparedness and inter-agency coordination.
The questioning is anticipated to persist as the CBI strives to piece together the planning, execution, and on-ground management of the Karur event to ascertain accountability in the tragic stampede.
aal/rad