Karur TVK secretary booked over stampede at Vijay’s rally

The Karur Town police on Saturday (September 27, 2025) registered a case against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) Karur West district secretary V.P. Mathiyazhagan in connection with the stampede at party president and actor Vijay’s rally that claimed 38 lives.

Police said the case was filed under sections 109,110, 125b, 223 of BNS for alleged violation of norms during the campaign event at Velysamupuram.

Officials clarified that, so far, only Mr. Mathiyazhagan has been named in the case. The investigation into the incident, which also left 83 people injured, is continuing.

The meeting, held at Velusamypuram, began at 7:20 p.m. and drew several thousand people who had been packed into congested roads since the morning, waiting to see and hear Mr. Vijay.

As the crowd, mostly youngsters, surged towards the vehicles to see the actor-turned-politician, many people who had been standing at the meeting point since 10 a.m. were forced to move to give way for Mr. Vijay’s vehicle. With very little room left to move, chaos and confusion ensued, triggering a stampede.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh to the families of those who died in the stampede, and ₹1 lakh for those who were injured and are being treated in hospitals. The State government has announced a commission to be headed by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the circumstances that led to the stampede, Mr. Stalin said.