Vijay to face another round of CBI questioning on January 19 in Karur stampede probe | All that happened so far

TVK chief Vijay (

• Vijay appeared before CBI in Delhi for questioning on the Karur stampede case
• He denied TVK's responsibility and rejected claims his arrival caused the chaos
• CBI probe continues, with statements to be checked against police accounts

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TVK chief and actor Vijay left Chennai for New Delhi on Sunday evening to comply with a Central Bureau of Investigation summons linked to the Karur stampede case. Airport officials said he departed on a chartered aircraft around 4.15 pm. The appearance followed an earlier round of questioning earlier this month, after which investigators indicated that more clarification would be required.

Vijay had earlier appeared before the agency on January 12 and was questioned for over six hours at the CBI’s Delhi office. Although he was initially asked to return the next day, he sought a later date, citing the Pongal festival.

At least six hours questioning at CBI headquarters

On January 12, Vijay spent close to six hours at the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi. He arrived at the heavily secured premises at 11.29 am in a black Range Rover and left at about 6.15 pm after completing formalities and responding to investigators’ queries.

Officials familiar with the process said the examination is still incomplete. “Questioning of Vijay not yet over. He sought the adjournment of questioning, citing Pongal festival, so he will not be summoned tomorrow. He will likely be summoned post-Pongal festival,” sources said.

Focus of the probe

Investigators reportedly asked Vijay to explain how he understood the sequence of events on September 27, 2025, the day the stampede occurred. The questioning covered his arrival timing at the rally venue, the rapid build-up of the crowd, and his decision to leave once the situation deteriorated.

Officials also sought to know whether he was aware of congestion at the venue, anticipated footfall, and announcements made during the event, including one about a missing child. He was asked if he had knowledge of the commotion outside the venue and whether he knew that police had used a lathi charge to manage the swelling crowd.

Sources said no other witness was confronted with Vijay during this round of questioning.

'TVK not responsible'

According to people familiar with the interaction, Vijay rejected suggestions that his party was at fault. “TVK is not responsible. He (Vijay) left the venue (Karur) to avoid further tragedy,” party sources quoted him as saying after he exited the CBI office.

He also denied allegations that his delayed arrival triggered the chaos. Earlier, the Tamil Nadu Police had blamed an “inordinate delay” for aggravating crowd pressure, pointing to shortages of food, drinking water, and toilets. Vijay has described those claims as a “conspiracy” by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, an allegation the party has denied.

Security, supporters, and party leaders

Anticipating supporters gathering, Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces were deployed in and around the CBI headquarters. Even so, a small group of fans assembled near the barricades.

“We are around 40 fans who have come here to get a glimpse of the actor. We are all based in Delhi,” said Aiyanar, one of those present.

Vijay travelled from Chennai with senior TVK leaders, including Aadhav Arjuna and Nirmal Kumar, according to party sources.

Others examined and case transfer

As part of the wider probe, the CBI also questioned former Tamil Nadu ADG (law and order) S Davidson Devasirvatham on Monday. Several TVK office bearers have already been examined, and more party functionaries have been summoned. Investigators said Vijay’s statements will be checked against police accounts and other material collected.

The case was handed over to the CBI following directions from the Supreme Court of India. Last October, the court ordered the agency’s director to appoint a senior officer to lead the probe and set up a three-member supervisory committee headed by former judge Ajay Rastogi. A bench observed that the incident had “left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country” and stressed that “The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored.”