Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Davidson Devasirvatham announced Sunday, September 28, 2025, that a thorough investigation would commence into the events leading to a fatal stampede during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay’s election campaign in Karur on Saturday evening, September 27, 2025. This tragic incident resulted in multiple deaths.
Despite various reports, ADGP Devasirvatham firmly denied any stone-pelting at the rally, emphasizing that adequate police protection was in place. He detailed that approximately 500 police personnel, under the command of the Superintendent of Police, were deployed to ensure security for the event.
Speaking to reporters in Karur, ADGP Devasirvatham stated, “Our probe shows there was no stone pelting.”
Recounting the sequence of events, the ADGP explained that TVK organizers initially requested the lighthouse roundabout as the rally venue on September 23. This request was rejected by the police due to it being a “high-risk” location. Subsequently, organizers proposed the Uzhavar Sandhai ground, which was also deemed unsuitable because its narrow layout would make managing a large crowd extremely challenging.
Police then suggested Velusamypuram, a location approved for such large gatherings. Although initially hesitant, TVK organizers eventually submitted a petition and received permission for this site on September 26.
Devasirvatham highlighted the extensive deployment of 500 police personnel for the event. He noted that the Inspector General of Police, Central Zone, was on-site in Karur to oversee the situation. In comparison, a recent meeting held by the Leader of Opposition saw 137 police personnel deployed, with the crowd remaining orderly and dispersing without incident.
Addressing potential security lapses, the ADGP mentioned that one of the critical conditions for the organizers was the provision of sufficient ambulances. When officers on duty recognized the impending stampede, they immediately used walkie-talkies to alert the station, prompting a fleet of approximately ten ambulances to rush to the scene.
He further elaborated on the delay in Vijay’s arrival. The journey from Thavittupalayam to Karur roundtana junction, typically a 30-minute drive, took about two hours. The campaign in neighboring Namakkal had also started significantly behind schedule. Consequently, crowds who had been waiting patiently for many hours in Karur began to follow Vijay’s vehicle, leading to uncontrolled movement on both sides.
According to the ADGP, the Karur Town Deputy Superintendent of Police had repeatedly urged organizers to halt the vehicle 50 meters before the designated speaking point due to the massive crowd. However, organizers declined, insisting on reaching the exact spot for optimal media coverage. This decision contributed to the crowd’s restlessness as they struggled to see their leader for ten minutes.
Public inquiries revealed that many attendees had arrived early morning, waiting for hours without food or water. The ADGP concluded that the prolonged delay in the leader’s arrival undoubtedly exacerbated the crowd’s impatience, and all these factors would be thoroughly examined during the ongoing investigation.