Tamil Nadu Rally Stampede: Superstar Vijay’s Aide Named In Police Case

Superstar Vijay’s Aide Bussy Anand Booked After Deadly Tamil Nadu Rally Stampede Kills 39. (X/@BussyAnand)

Two senior leaders of actor-politician Vijay’s TVK have been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, following a stampede at a Karur rally yesterday that killed 39 and injured nearly 100.

N Anand, popularly known as Bussy Anand, and CT Nirmal Kumar are booked along with the Karur district secretary. They have booked under five sections, including U/S 105, 110, 125 (B), 223 R/W 3 of TNPPDL ACT.

Meanwhile, The Karur Tablen Police on Saturday Registered A Case Against Tamillaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) Karur West District VP Mathiyazhagan in Connection with the Stampede.

According to the police, the case was filed under sections 109,110, 125b, 223 of BNS for alleged violation of norms during the campaign event at Velysamupuram.

The meeting, held at Velusamypuram, began at 7:20 p.m. and drew several thousand people who had been packed into congested roads since the morning, waiting to see and hear Vijay.

As the crowd—mostly young people—rushed toward the actor-turned-politician’s vehicle, those who had been standing at the rally since 10 a.m. were forced to step aside. With little space to move, confusion quickly escalated into a stampede.

TVK chief and actor Vijay expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. “My heart is shattered; I am writhing in unbearable, indescribable pain and sorrow that words cannot express,” he said in his first statement. “I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of my dear brothers and sisters who lost their lives in Karur. I pray for the swift recovery of those receiving treatment in the hospital.”

Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who died in the stampede, and Rs 1 lakh for those who were injured and are being treated in hospitals. The State government has announced a commission to be headed by retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan to probe the circumstances that led to the stampede, Stalin said.