Chennai, March 11: Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Senthil Balaji has expressed his displeasure over conflicting reports in the media regarding the summons issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Karur stampede incident.
In a post on X, Balaji stated, “There have been contradictory reports in some media outlets regarding the summons issued by the CBI concerning the Karur tragedy. The CBI has summoned me to appear in person on March 17 to provide clarification. I will attend and give appropriate answers to their questions.”
It is noteworthy that the stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a rally organized by actor-politician Vijay’s party, ‘Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’, in Karur district, resulting in the deaths of 41 individuals and injuries to over 100 others. The Supreme Court has entrusted the investigation of this case to the CBI, which is being overseen by a supervisory committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi.
Actor Vijay expressed his sorrow over the incident and provided a financial assistance of ₹20 lakh to the families of the deceased, also engaging in video conferencing with some of them. Reports indicate that the rally attracted a larger crowd than anticipated, leading to chaos and the unfortunate accident.
Vijay, a prominent figure in Tamil cinema for over three decades, launched the TVK party in 2024. He began his career as a child artist and gained recognition through various films, eventually becoming known for his roles in socially relevant cinema. His fans affectionately refer to him as ‘Thalapathi’.