Actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi on January 19, for a second round of questioning in connection with the Karur stampede that killed 41 persons on September 27, 2025. Last week, he had also appeared before the CBI in the same case.
Unconfirmed sources say that Joseph Vijay, president of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), is likely to be named as an accused in the Karur stampede case. The CBI is expected to file the charge sheet by the second week of February.
It is learnt that Vijay was grilled for nearly six hours on January 19. He arrived at the CBI headquarters at 10:20 am and left around 5 pm. He was questioned by a team led by a deputy superintendent–rank officer from the CBI’s anti-corruption wing.
He was reportedly questioned about the decision-making process behind the rally, the reasons for his delayed arrival at the venue, the continuation of his speech, his awareness of the chaos, the turnout, and alleged crowd mismanagement.
The decision on fixing individual responsibility in the charge sheet would be taken only after a thorough analysis of statements recorded from Vijay, senior TVK members, and officials from the police and district administration involved in granting clearance for, and managing, the rally.
Actor Joseph Vijay was earlier questioned by the agency on January 12. He was asked to return the following day but sought a different date due to the Pongal festival and party-related preoccupations.
Meanwhile, TVK functionary CT Nirmal Kumar, who was present outside the CBI office, told the media: “We are cooperating with the agencies. Please refrain from spreading any misinformation. He (Vijay) has not been called again. Many rumours are being spread, which are not true. We all know what happened in Karur. MPs from Delhi had gone to Karur; even the Tamil Nadu BJP president has stated what exactly happened in Karur.”
It is learnt that two senior police officers, including an ADGP of the Tamil Nadu Police, are likely to be arraigned as accused. The charge sheet is expected to invoke sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
During the first round of questioning on January 12, the CBI reportedly asked Vijay around 90 questions. The current round aimed to clarify specific points, including why Vijay reached the venue more than seven hours later than originally scheduled; why the speech was continued despite the heavy crowd and emerging safety concerns; what steps Vijay took, both as a party president and as a major film star, to disperse the crowd and ease congestion; and why he immediately returned to Chennai after the incident.
The CBI has re-registered the case on the orders of the Supreme Court of India. It has already questioned several office-bearers of the TVK in this matter. The agency took over the case from a Special Investigation Team following the Supreme Court order and has been gathering evidence relating to the Karur stampede.
Critics say that, in that eventuality, it would be a major setback for the fledgling political party even before it takes off. TVK hopes to position itself as an alternative to the DMK in the state, with the support of the Christian missionary ecosystem.
