NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) grilled former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA V Senthil Balaji in New Delhi for six hours on Tuesday in connection with the stampede at actor Vijay’s rally in Karur on September 27, 2025, which killed 41 people, the agency said.
Balaji was questioned two days after TVK chief Vijay was grilled by the federal agency for the third time in two months.
TVK leaders have alleged that Balaji was responsible for the stampede, pointing to his arrival at a hospital — where people who fainted at the rally were taken — within minutes of the incident.
Karur has been a stronghold of Balaji since 2006. A CBI official said the questioning was based on video evidence and complaints filed by Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), whose leaders alleged a "pre-planned conspiracy" orchestrated by the local DMK strongman.
The CBI had summoned Balaji on allegations that his visit to the venue during the rally was planned, allegedly creating confusion among supporters and the public. It is further alleged that water bottles distributed at the venue bore the logo of Balaji’s charitable foundation, and that he rushed to the hospital within minutes of the stampede.
The agency questioned Balaji about his schedule in the 10 days before and after the incident. It has gathered video, digital and material evidence from before and after the event, and is now focusing on whether local strongmen, officials and the local administration were behind the tragedy.
State Minister for Natural Resources S Regupathy alleged that the CBI summons to Balaji was an act of intimidation against the DMK.
Vijay, who was questioned three times by the agency, told investigators that neither his party nor its functionaries were responsible for the incident. He attributed the chaos to inadequate police deployment and submitted documents, including the rally application, while being questioned on whether police guidelines were followed.
The CBI took over the case from a Special Investigation Team following a Supreme Court order on a petition filed by TVK seeking an independent inquiry. The agency has already questioned several TVK office-bearers and summoned former Tamil Nadu ADG (Law and Order) S. Davidson Devasirvatham as part of the probe.
The Supreme Court also constituted a three-member supervisory committee, headed by former judge Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the investigation and ensure it remains impartial and unbiased.