TVK chief Vijay’s campaign vehicle driver booked for Karur rally accidents

Karur: A case has been registered against the driver of actor-politician Vijay’s campaign vehicle in connection with an accident allegedly involving the vehicle en route to the September 27 Karur rally, where a stampede claimed 41 lives, police confirmed.

The vehicle of the TVK chief has also been included in the First Information Report (FIR), authorities added.

The case pertains to an incident in which several fans on motorcycles, riding close to Vijay’s campaign bus to catch a glimpse of the star, were involved in an accident allegedly caused by the campaign vehicle. A video of the incident was widely circulated across TV channels and social media platforms.

The Madras High Court raised concerns over the delay in taking action against the driver. The court remarked, “It was further brought to the notice of this Court that the videograph presented by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner, which has also been widely circulated in both print and visual media, clearly shows that the bus carrying Vijay, the leader of the political party, was involved in an accident.”

The court observed, “In the footage, it is visibly evident that two motorcycles were involved in the accident, and that the driver of the bus, having seen the incident, fled from the scene.”

Another accident involving the rear end of the bus was also captured in a separate video, witnessed by a passenger seated on the front left side of the vehicle. The court noted that in both incidents, no FIR had been registered for the alleged hit-and-run offences.

Expressing concern, the court said, “This Court expresses its deep anguish and concern over the failure of the authorities to take action. Even in the absence of a formal complaint from the aggrieved parties, it is the duty of the State to register a suo motu FIR and ensure that the accused face trial in accordance with law.”