**Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to Probe Actor Vijay’s Rally Stampede Incident**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 28, 2025, 11:14 AM*
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**Overview**
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK 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 deadly incident claimed at least 39 lives and injured nearly 100 people.
The probe will be led by retired Madras High Court judge, Justice Aruna Jagadeesan.
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**The Incident**
The stampede took place when the crowd swelled to an estimated 27,000 people, far exceeding the expected turnout of 10,000. The surge was triggered by a delay in Vijay’s arrival at the rally venue.
TVK had announced on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle that Vijay would arrive by 12 noon; however, the actor arrived late at 7:40 PM. The rally had permission to be held between 3 PM and 10 PM, but anticipation and the early arrival of attendees under the hot sun, many without sufficient food and water, resulted in overcrowding.
Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police G Venkataraman attributed the stampede to this crowd surge caused by the delay.
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**About Justice Aruna Jagadeesan**
Justice Aruna Jagadeesan served as a puisne judge at the Madras High Court from 2009 to 2015. She has led several high-profile Commissions of Inquiry in Tamil Nadu, including investigations into the violence during the anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin (2018) and cases related to former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s wealth.
Notably, in February 2015, she was part of a bench that cleared the Chennai Police of allegations concerning fake encounters.
Justice Jagadeesan’s experience makes her well-suited to head this critical inquiry.
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**Government Response and Relief Measures**
In the wake of the tragedy, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for those injured.
Describing the incident as “unprecedented” in Tamil Nadu’s political history, Stalin vowed to take strict action once the facts are ascertained.
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 offering solace to the affected families.
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This inquiry aims to uncover the causes of the stampede and ensure accountability, helping prevent such tragedies in the future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/justice-aruna-jagadeesan-to-probe-actor-vijay-s-rally-stampede-incident/story