Chennai, March 17 TVK chief Vijay has appealed to the CBI to conduct its future investigation into the Karur stampede case in Chennai or elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, citing his engagements related to the upcoming Assembly elections.
Prior to appearing for the CBI's questioning on March 15, the founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam wrote to the investigating agency, stating that he had already appeared for questioning in New Delhi on January 12 and 19, in compliance with the notices for his appearance before the CBI office in the national capital.
The letter, dated March 14, was also marked to Justice Ajay Rastogi, who has been appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the investigation into the tragic Karur stampede, which claimed 41 lives and left many injured.
In the letter, Vijay pointed out that he had sought a minimum of 10-15 days' time for his appearance for the inquiry and also requested permission to appear either in Chennai or any other place in Tamil Nadu due to his "personal inconvenience and commitments and preoccupation with respect to the upcoming Assembly election work."
Despite the request, the investigating officer asked him to appear in New Delhi on March 15, he said.
On Sunday, the actor-politician was questioned for more than seven hours and left the CBI office around 6.30 pm. During the third round of questioning, he was accompanied by his party leaders Aadhav Arjuna and C T R Nirmal Kumar.
According to TVK sources on Tuesday, Vijay was said to have stated in the letter that he appeared for the inquiry as a "law-abiding citizen." He and his party members were victims of the Karur tragedy and were in "explainable mental agony due to the loss of lives and injuries during the stampede (on September 27, 2025) despite genuine precautions."
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are scheduled for April 23.
