Families still await answers a year after deadly Karur rally crush
Families of 41 people killed during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally in Karur remain without a charge sheet or arrests nearly a year after the stampede. The Central Bureau of Investigation has questioned organisers, police and witnesses and collected footage, but the investigation has not concluded.
Families of 41 people killed during a political rally in Karur remain waiting for answers nearly a year after the crowd crush that devastated the Tamil Nadu town. The stampede occurred at Velusamypuram on September 27, 2025, during a rally addressed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader C. Joseph Vijay.
Women and children were among those killed, while many others were injured. The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the case from a state-appointed Special Investigation Team following a Supreme Court direction. It has questioned TVK organisers, police personnel, survivors, ambulance drivers, medical workers and hundreds of witnesses.
The CBI has also collected video footage and examined call-detail records, but no charge sheet has been filed and no arrests have been made in the investigation described in the report. Relatives say compensation cannot replace their lost family members and want those responsible punished. Police attributed the tragedy to poor crowd management, the late arrival of the leader, narrow entry and exit points and a sudden surge from several directions.
TVK has alleged a conspiracy and blamed the former state government for inadequate security and refusal to allow a larger venue. Vijay, now Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, announced a memorial during a July visit to Karur. The memorial had not been built by the anniversary.
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