Actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), saw a major development as its district secretary, Mathiyazhagan, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the Karur stampede, according to several media reports.

The arrest comes amid the ongoing probe into the tragic incident, which killed 41 people and injured 60. As per a report by NDTV, Mathiyazhagan was arrested on charges of murder, culpable homicide, and endangering public safety.

What Happened?

Based on a report by India Today, the district secretary has been named the prime accused in the FIR registered after the incident. The probe was launched after a TVK rally took a turn for the worse due to a massive crowd surge. The overcrowding led to a stampede, which killed over 40 people, including women and children. Local media reports also detailed that the TVK leader was arrested on the outskirts of Karur.

The FIR, accessed on Monday, names three key TVK officials involved in the case: Karur North district secretary Mathiyazhagan, state general secretary Bussy Anand, and deputy general secretary Nirmal Kumar.

Charges against the arrested

They face charges under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 125 (endangering life of others), and 223 (disobedience to order) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Preventing of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992, according to a police official speaking to news agency PTI. The FIR attributes responsibility for the incident to the party and actor-politician Vijay.

Officials told PTI that the crowd size increased as Vijay delayed his appearance during the Karur rally. Many attendees climbed steel sheds and trees to get a better view of the actor. When these structures collapsed, people fell on those below, triggering the stampede, the FIR stated.