New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a notice to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay to appear for questioning on January 12 at the agency headquarters here in connection with the Karur stampede case, officials said.

The CBI has questioned several office bearers of the TVK in connection with the case, they said.

The agency has now decided to call Vijay in connection with the case, following which it may take a call on filing a charge sheet in the matter, they said.

The Karur stampede took place on September 27, 2025, during a political rally organised by TVK at Veluswamypuram in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district. A sudden surge in the crowd led to a fatal situation, leaving 41 people dead and several others injured as large numbers of supporters had gathered to hear Vijay speak.

The latest development follows the CBI’s earlier questioning of senior TVK leaders, whose statements were recorded as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

At the outset, the Tamil Nadu government resisted a CBI probe into the case and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) instead. The state told the court that a SIT was adequate to handle the investigation, maintaining that matters related to law and order fall within the state’s jurisdiction. 

The Supreme Court later handed the probe over to the CBI, stating that the Karur stampede had “shaken the national conscience” and required an inquiry that was both independent and impartial. The apex court rejected the state government’s request to retain the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and cleared the way for the central agency to lead the investigation.

After assuming charge, the CBI has been scrutinising the approvals issued for the event, arrangements for crowd control, police deployment, and emergency response systems. The agency has also been recording statements from TVK office-bearers and government officials.

(with inputs from PTI)