**Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to Probe Actor Vijay’s Rally Stampede Incident**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 28, 2025, 11:14 AM*
—
**Overview**
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragic stampede that occurred during actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur. The incident resulted in at least 39 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries.
The crowd size at the rally swelled to an estimated 27,000 people—far exceeding the expected turnout of 10,000—leading to the deadly crush.
—
**Judicial Probe Led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan**
The investigation will be headed by retired Madras High Court judge, Justice Aruna Jagadeesan. Justice Jagadeesan served as a puisne judge at the Madras High Court from 2009 to 2015 and is known for leading several high-profile Commissions of Inquiry in Tamil Nadu.
Her notable assignments include:
– Investigating the violence following the anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin in 2018.
– Probing cases related to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s wealth.
– Being part of the bench that cleared Chennai Police of alleged fake encounter charges in 2015.
Her experience makes her well-suited to lead this sensitive inquiry.
—
**Relief Measures and Official Response**
Chief Minister Stalin announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹1 lakh for those injured in the stampede. Describing the incident as “unprecedented” in Tamil Nadu’s political history, Stalin promised strict action after the facts are established.
The Chief Minister visited the injured at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Karur late on Saturday night, paying tribute to the victims and assuring support.
—
**Cause of the Stampede**
The tragedy was triggered by a crowd surge following an announcement by the TVK’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle that actor Vijay would arrive at the rally venue by 12 noon. Although permission was sought for the rally timing between 3 PM and 10 PM, Vijay arrived late at 7:40 PM.
Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police, G. Venkataraman, explained that this discrepancy led to people arriving early, waiting under the hot sun without adequate food or water, which resulted in overcrowding and the eventual stampede.
—
The judicial inquiry led by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan is expected to shed full light on the circumstances that led to the tragic event, ensuring accountability and preventive measures for the future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/justice-aruna-jagadeesan-to-probe-actor-vijay-s-rally-stampede-incident/story
