The probe into the tragic stampede at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s rally in Karur has escalated, with police arresting two key party functionaries this week. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, September 27, has tragically claimed the lives of at least 41 people and left many others injured.
On Monday night, Karur City Police arrested Mathiyazhagan, the TVK’s Karur West District Secretary, and Paun Raj, a Karur town functionary. Following their arrest, a court on Tuesday remanded Paun Raj to judicial custody until October 14, as reported by news agency ANI.
Paun Raj’s role in the organization was significant, as he is said to have arranged flagpoles and flex banners for the campaign. Local reports further allege that he provided shelter to Mathiyazhagan after the stampede incident.
FIR Holds Party Leaders Responsible
The First Information Report (FIR) filed in the Karur stampede case has named three senior TVK functionaries as the prime accused, holding the party and the organizers responsible for the crowd crush.
The three accused named in the FIR are:
- Mathiyazhagan (Karur West District Secretary)
- Bussy Anand (TVK State General Secretary)
- Nirmal Kumar (TVK Party Deputy General Secretary)
These functionaries have been booked under stringent sections, including charges of:
- Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder (Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Attempt to Commit Culpable Homicide (Section 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Endangering Life of Others (Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Disobedience to Order (Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
- Additionally, they face charges under Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Preventing of Damage and Loss) Act 1992.
In a related development, police have also arrested a YouTuber and a journalist in connection with the incident, alongside the two TVK functionaries, as the investigation continues.