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Chennai, Nov 24 (IANS) Key functionaries of the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) on Monday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Karur as the scope of investigation widens into the September 27 stampede in which 41 people lost their lives.
In response to the summons issued by investigators, party general secretary N. ‘Busi’ Anand and General Secretary (Election Campaign Management) Adhav Arjun reached the CBI camp office. Sources said he was also accompanied by TVK Karur West district secretary KP Mathiyazhagan and senior official MC Paunraj.
The CBI recorded their statements as part of its investigation into the tragic incident that unfolded during a massive rally addressed by TVK founder and actor Vijay in Karur.
The rally, involving thousands of supporters, ended in a deadly stampede near the exit points of the venue, leaving 41 people dead and several others injured. The investigation is being monitored by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court, underscoring the seriousness with which the case is being handled.
According to officials, investigators are probing the organizational preparations of the event, crowd management protocols, permissions received from authorities and the sequence of events that led to the fatal crush.
The CBI is also analyzing video footage, security arrangements and communication between district-level organizers and the party’s central leadership. The agency is calling officials in batches to present a clear picture of how the situation went out of control.
Monday’s attendance of top TVK officials is seen as an important step in understanding decision-making at the highest levels of the party’s campaign machinery.
Earlier, on November 3, a CBI team had visited TVK headquarters in Paniyur, Chennai as part of the same investigation.
CTR joint general secretary Nirmal Kumar told reporters that officials sought detailed records related to the Karur rally, including communication logs, event-planning documents and internal reports prepared after the tragedy.
The multi-layered investigation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with more party officials and government officials likely to be questioned.
The CBI has said that the investigation will be completely impartial and in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring panel.
With political temperatures running high ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, the findings of the Karur stampede case are likely to have a significant impact on the rapidly expanding TVK and its leadership.
–IANS
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