Vijay Questioned By CBI For Six Hours In Karur Stampede Case

5 hours ago

On this India Today special report, anchor Akshita Nandagopal provides the latest updates on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioning of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay. The actor-turned-politician was grilled for six hours at the CBI headquarters in the national capital regarding the Karur stampede case, which claimed over 40 lives. This marks the second round of questioning for the leader. TVK representative CTR Nirmal Kumar stated, 'Our leader has come to cooperate the investigations here,' dismissing rumours that Vijay has been named as an accused. Reporters Muneesh Pandey and Anika Keshav highlight that while Vijay appeared relaxed and waved to supporters, the CBI is investigating lapses and his delayed arrival at the site. The TVK maintains that the incident resulted from a police failure rather than party negligence. Currently, Vijay is being treated as a witness in the Supreme Court-monitored probe, with no further summons issued at this stage.

Transcript

00:00And let's begin by getting you the latest updates on TVK Chief, Vijay's grilling by the CBI.

00:06This has happened again in the national capital. It lasted for six hours.

00:10And just, in fact, about 30 minutes ago, Vijay stepped out of the CBI headquarters,

00:15briefly stepped out of his vehicle to wave to the media persons around and then left in a black rage rover.

00:21This is, remember, the second round of questioning of Vijay in the Karoor Stampede case.

00:26So what exactly has happened? What is the CBI investigation so far leaning towards?

00:31Is Vijay an accused? Is he a witness in the case?

00:34Well, sources, in fact, have told India today that Vijay hasn't received a clean sheet in the case so far.

00:41He continues to maintain that all orders from officials were followed, all rules were adhered to.

00:47Vijay previously was questioned for seven hours, this time for six hours.

00:51So in all, all through, the questions that were asked to him is about lapses that came to light,

00:57why he was delayed in arriving at the location and several other points at this point.

01:04Now, let me bring in Munish Pandey, who's joining us live from the CBI headquarters.

01:08Anika Keshav is joining us live from Chennai.

01:11Munish, moments ago, we had that footage of Vijay emerging outside of his car,

01:16waving to the media persons around, did utter a word, but clearly sent out a message that all is well.

01:23Is that really the case, Munish? Because we've been hearing a lot of versions claiming

01:26that he is now being treated as an accused in the case.

01:29Well, Akshita, through the body language, it was very clear that acting toward politician Vijay was very relaxed.

01:39You know, what we have been doing to understand is that his questioning, as far as this case is concerned,

01:45is over for now. Only if needed, then only Vijay will be, you know, called in for questioning,

01:51as far as this case is concerned.

01:53Now, today was the second round of questioning.

01:55He was questioned for almost six hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation,

02:00and the specific question was in regards to his arrival on that day, which was seven hours late.

02:07He was also questioned that why didn't he act immediately when he saw the crowd fainting.

02:13But so far, according to sources, Vijay has alleged that it was the Tamil Nadu police's failure.

02:19It was not a failure from TVK or from himself.

02:23But, you know, it was very clear, very evident that he was relaxed.

02:28You know, when he came out of Central Bureau of Investigation Office,

02:32he came out of the car, he waved to his supporters as well as the media.

02:37Also, Akshita, there was a press briefing by TVK in which they said that his leader,

02:44which is, you know, actor-turned-politician Vijay,

02:48he came to CBI to cooperate in the investigation, and TVK wants justice in the case.

02:54Also, they said that, you know, Prime Minister Amish Shah, when he visited Tamil Nadu,

03:00then there was a meeting and...

03:02Let's just play that out for our viewers as well.

03:04What Monish is referring to is a statement from CTR Nirmal Kumar of the TVQ,

03:09who accompanied Vijay into the CBI headquarters.

03:11Listen in to what CTR said.

03:13A lot of rumours, starting from morning, we are saying that definitely nothing is true.

03:21And definitely our leader has come to cooperate with the investigations here.

03:25We have done that and we are ready to cooperate with the cooperation.

03:27Can you comment again?

03:28No, no someone has been given for that.

03:30And definitely, Lexi, you know what has happened in Karoor.

03:34All the people of Tamil Nadu and all our media, you know what happened in Tamil Nadu.

03:37All the MPs from Delhi, they came over, they investigated, they have published in the media what has happened in Tamil Nadu.

03:44And one, when last time the Prime Minister was in Tamil Nadu,

03:50the state president of Bharatiya, BJP party state president, Naina Nagaran,

03:55openly mentioned in the meeting saying that Sindhil Palaji, who is sitting,

04:01MLA of Karoor is the whole sponsor for the death of the party on people.

04:04Okay, so that is the TVK trying to quell all suggestions that Vijay now is an accused in the case.

04:12And Anika Keshiv is joining us live from Chennai.

04:14There's been a lot of buzz, Anika, that Vijay is now an accused,

04:18that he's going to be arrested in this particular case by the CBI.

04:21And the TVK now on a war footing is trying to ensure that these rumours, you know, don't get spread.

04:27Well, in fact, that's what CT Dinmal Kumar said.

04:33He was referring to the fact that there was a rumour from morning making rounds

04:36that Vijay is seen as an accused in this case.

04:39He says that, you know, this is false.

04:41Even the CBI has not officially made him as an accused in this case.

04:45Even, you know, when he was summoned in the past and even today as well,

04:49he is there in his capacity as an eyewitness to what has happened.

04:52It's also quite unlikely that Vijay will be made an accused in this case

04:56given the fact that there is elections coming up

04:58and making Vijay as an accused will really pull in the sympathy card

05:02and thereby, you know, butch up the election chances for both the parties at play,

05:07the BJP, ADMK and DMK as well.

05:10So that's the kind of fan frenzy that Vijay holds.

05:13Making him as an accused will really turn around the election landscape for Tamil Nadu.

05:17So that at this moment as we speak is quite unlikely.

05:20But today Vijay was summoned in his capacity as a witness.

05:24Like CT Nirmal Kumar was mentioning,

05:26today was the last day of questioning for Vijay.

05:29He has not been given any more summons.

05:31It was a seven-hour long questioning, same as last time.

05:34It was a day-long session of questioning.

05:37We believe that the interrogation part has now been wrapped up.

05:40Remember, this is a Supreme Court monitored CBI proof.

05:44So once the CBI wraps up its investigation,

05:46it will be submitting its final report to the court post,

05:49which we'll really be able to find out who's responsible for the tragedy that happened.

05:54Okay, so the investigation moving forward for now,

05:56Munish telling us that no, Vijay is not being treated as an accused.

05:59It's too early in the investigation for the CBI to go ahead and rule a certain person as an accused.

06:04They're going to look into all aspects of this particular case

06:07before deciding exactly who is to blame for the stampede

06:11in which over 40 lives were lost in Kadur.

06:14Thanks very much, Munish.

06:15Thanks, Anagar, for getting us.

06:16Those are updates.

06:17We will continue to track closely what happens.

06:19But for now, we can confirm for you

06:21that two rounds of questioning over.

06:23At this point, no more summons have been issued to Vijay.

06:26Unlikely that he will be called for a third round.

06:29But we will track all the updates that come in.

Vijay Questioned By CBI For Six Hours In Karur Stampede Case

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