Karur tragedy: SC panel member reaches CBI office in ongoing probe into TVK stampede

Karur (Tamil Nadu): An IPS officer serving on the Supreme Court-appointed three-member panel overseeing the CBI investigation into the Karur stampede, Sumit Sharan, arrived at the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Karur office on Monday. The committee is headed by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Ajay Rastogi and also includes Sonal V Mishra, IG (Provisioning), CRPF, New Delhi.

The panel is expected to examine the evidence and material gathered so far in the probe, which has been underway for the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, CBI officials stationed in Karur continue to question the families of victims, those injured, ambulance personnel, police officials, TVK party administrators and business owners from the Veluchamipuram locality. Statements have already been recorded from the families of all 12 people who died in the incident.

Earlier, three members of actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)—including members of the legal team and Trichy Zonal Joint Coordinator Arasu—appeared before the agency for questioning.

The stampede occurred on September 27 during a public meeting addressed by TVK chief Vijay, claiming 41 lives and injuring 110 others. Following the tragedy, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI-led investigation to establish the cause of the stampede and identify any lapses or responsible parties.

As part of the inquiry, the CBI has issued summons to more than 100 individuals connected to the event. Those questioned include a petrol pump operator, textile shop owner, mobile shop proprietor and a mechanic at the Karur Circuit House. Investigators have also used 3D laser scanning equipment to map nearly 700 metres in and around Velusamipuram to reconstruct the sequence of events.

ANI