Karur Town police have registered a case against V.P. Mathiyazhagan, the Karur West district secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), following the deadly stampede at actor turned politician Vijay’s rally in Velysamupuram that claimed 39 lives and left 83 injured.
The incident occurred on Saturday, and the police have invoked four sections of the Indian Penal Code, citing violations of safety norms and inadequate crowd management during the campaign event. Officials clarified that Mathiyazhagan is the only person named in the First Information Report (FIR) so far, but investigators are examining whether lapses by others contributed to the tragedy.
“The investigation is ongoing, and further accountability will be determined after a detailed inquiry,” said a senior police officer.
The massive public gathering, part of Vijay’s statewide political tour, attracted thousands of attendees who had waited for hours under the scorching sun with limited access to food and drinking water. The crowd surged further after social media posts announced Vijay’s arrival at noon, though he reached the venue only at 7:40 p.m.
The resulting congestion caused panic and a deadly crush, forcing ambulances to rush the injured to Karur Medical College Hospital and nearby private facilities.
Tamil Nadu Director General of Police G. Venkataraman termed the incident “deeply regrettable” and stressed the review of event permission procedures to prevent such tragedies.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who visited Karur late Saturday night, met survivors and bereaved families, announcing ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the deceased’s next of kin and ₹1 lakh for critically injured victims. He also ordered a judicial inquiry led by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol. Thirumavalavan demanded enhanced compensation of ₹50 lakh per family, describing the stampede as an “unimaginable human tragedy that calls for accountability and increased relief.”
The Tamil Nadu government has deployed senior officials to oversee medical care and relief efforts as the probe continues.