Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Nov 3: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned 306 people for questioning in connection with the devastating stampede that occurred in Karur on September 27 during an event attended by actor and TVK leader Vijay.

The disaster at Veluchamipuram claimed 41 lives and left over 60 others injured, triggering a wave of public anger and political debate across Tamil Nadu.

The investigation, spearheaded by officer Praveen Kumar from the CBI’s temporary base in Karur, is being carried out under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, along with ADGPs Sonal Mishra and Sumit Saran.

CBI teams have been meticulously reconstructing the sequence of events by examining the site, recording witness statements, and reviewing safety arrangements. Officials said they measured the venue’s capacity to assess whether event organisers had adhered to prescribed safety limits. Local shopkeepers near the venue have also been interviewed to gather firsthand accounts.

“The inquiry is centered on failures in crowd management, lapses in event planning, and the accountability of officials who granted permissions,” an official source revealed.

Among those questioned is Karur City Police Inspector Manivannan, who approved the event. He reportedly faced over two hours of interrogation regarding the safety preparations, communication hierarchy, and coordination between the police and organisers.

The 306 individuals called for questioning include families of the deceased and injured, as well as members of TVK’s Thamizhaga Rashtriya Peravai (TRP) who managed participant mobilisation. Investigators believe these testimonies are crucial in determining responsibility at multiple levels — from event organisers to local enforcement authorities.

The CBI is also expected to extend its probe to the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, to examine the chain of command and directives issued ahead of the ill-fated event.

The Karur tragedy, one of the worst stampedes in Tamil Nadu’s recent history, has renewed scrutiny of public safety measures, administrative preparedness, and the accountability of political groups conducting mass gatherings.