CBI Takes Over Karur Stampede Case That Claimed 41 Lives, Issues Summons To TVK Leaders For Interrogation

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the probe into the Karur stampede.

That left 41 people dead and more than 60 injured during a TVK rally addressed by actor-turned-politician Vijay on September 27. The central agency has now summoned TVK General Secretary N. Anand alias Bussy Anand and Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal for questioning on September 28 as part of its investigation.

According to officials, the two leaders have been asked to appear before investigators in New Delhi as the CBI gathers testimonies from key witnesses and examines evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.

The Supreme Court had transferred the investigation to the CBI earlier this month after a petition by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) sought an independent inquiry, citing potential bias in the state police probe. Following the court’s direction, the CBI re-registered the FIR initially filed by the Tamil Nadu Police and informed the jurisdictional court of the development.

A special CBI team has already inspected the Velusamypuram ground in Karur where the fatal stampede took place. Sources said the agency is also examining footage from CCTV cameras, drone videos, and social media posts from the event to identify lapses in crowd management and determine accountability.

The Supreme Court, while handing over the case, also set up a three-member supervisory committee headed by former apex court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi to monitor the progress of the investigation. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and NV Anjaria noted that the tragedy had “shaken the nation’s conscience” and underscored the need to protect the fundamental rights of victims’ families.

The court also reprimanded senior Tamil Nadu Police officials for making premature comments to the media regarding the cause of the incident, warning that such statements could undermine public confidence in the probe.