A criminal case has been filed against leaders of Vijay’s political party after a stampede at a rally in the southern state of Tamil Nadu left 39 people dead, including children, and more than 50 injured on Saturday (September 27), a senior police official said on Sunday (September 28). Vijay was campaigning for his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party ahead of state elections due in early 2024.
Police official V. Selvaraj told Reuters that Tamil Nadu police had filed the case as a first step towards possible charges against senior TVK party leaders Bussy Anand, Nirmal Kumar, and V.P. Mathiyalagan and that an investigation was underway.
According to Selvaraj, TVK originally sought permission for a gathering of 10,000 people, but the actual crowd was more than double that.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, known professionally as Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s most famous actors, has been drawing massive crowds since he launched his party last year. He has pledged his support to the families of those killed in the stampede, describing himself as “heartbroken” by the incident.
The stampede incident in Tamil Nadu, India, comes at a time when 11 people were killed and around 47 injured in Bengaluru during RCB Trophy celebrations in June.
Also Read: 11 people died in a stampede during RCB’s victory celebration in India
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh ($11,300) to each of the families of those killed in the stampede, and the state has appointed a one-member commission headed by a retired judge to investigate the cause of the accident.
After the accident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media X (formerly Twitter): “The unfortunate incident during a political rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. Wishing strength to them in this difficult time. Praying for a swift recovery to all those injured.”
This article includes reporting from Reuters.