Justice Aruna Jagadeesan-Led Commission Begins Probe Into Karur Stampede That Killed 41

Last Updated:September 29, 2025, 13:36 IST

Justice Aruna Jagadeesan leads a probe into the Karur stampede after Vijay’s TVK rally left 41 dead. TVK and MK Stalin announce compensation as calls for a CBI or SIT probe grow.

Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission began its probe on Monday.(PTI)

Days after the deadly stampede in Tamil Nadu’s Karur, which claimed 41 lives, an enquiry commission led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan began its probe on Monday, two days after a rally by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), triggered the tragedy in the district.

Following the September 27 incident, more than 60 people were admitted to hospitals as inpatients, with at least two in critical condition. Several attendees reportedly fainted and were rushed to nearby facilities. According to the officials, the stampede was primarily due to overcrowding at the venue.

A day earlier, TVK chief and actor Vijay announced he would provide financial aid of Rs 20 lakh to each bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh to the injured in the incident. In an emotional post penned down on X, the TVK chief said that he was at a “loss for words” to express the pain his heart endured, further stating the faces of the deceased kept flashing through his mind.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also announced Rs 10 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those undergoing treatment.

Of the 41 people who died, 18 were women, 13 men, five girls, and five boys. According to ANI, 34 were residents of Karur district, while two each came from Erode, Tiruppur, and Dindigul districts, and one from Salem.

The massive crowd at Vijay’s rally on Saturday evening reportedly turned chaotic, sparking panic. Several attendees fainted and were rushed to nearby hospitals, with sources indicating that overcrowding at the venue was the primary cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party led by actor-politician Vijay, approached the Madras High Court seeking a probe into the Karur stampede. Later, the court admitted an urgent motion moved by the party, agreeing to consider its request for suo motu cognisance of the tragedy.

They are requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the tragedy.

TVK is being represented by Advocate S. Arivazhagan, who urged the court to take suo motu cognisance of the incident and ensure a fair and impartial investigation. The plea emphasised that only an independent agency could identify the lapses that led to the large-scale loss of life at the party’s public meeting.

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