28.9.2025
Police have charged three close aides of a popular actor and politician with culpable homicide and negligence after a stampede at his rally in southern India killed at least 40 people.
Some 27,000 people thronged a public road in Tamil Nadu state in the hope of seeing the politician, known by the single name of Vijay, on Saturday but panic broke out, triggering a deadly crush.
Such crowd incidents happen frequently during mass gatherings in India and are often blamed on lax safety measures.
Police filed a case against three senior members of Vijay’s party, whom they identified as Bussy Anand, G.R. Nirmal Kumar and V.P. Mathiyazhagan.
All three have been charged with “culpable homicide not amounting to murder” and negligent conduct endangering human life.
Witnesses cited hours of delays, insufficient police presence and people falling from a tree branch on to the audience as reasons contributing to the crush.
Vijay was addressing the rally in Karur district when the crowd surged suddenly, forcing him to halt his speech.
Videos on social media showed him tossing water bottles to supporters shortly before the panic broke out.
“I am at a loss for words to express the pain my heart endures,” the 51-year-old star said on Sunday.
“This is indeed an irreparable loss for us,” he said, adding that he would pay two million rupees ($22,000) to each of the victims’ families as compensation.
State police chief G. Venkataraman said crowds had been waiting for hours after the public was told that Vijay would arrive at the venue by noon.
“The crowds started coming in from 11am. He came at 7.40pm.
“The people lacked sufficient food and water under the hot sun.”
He said 10,000 people were expected but about 27,000 had turned up.
Vijay launched his party in 2024 and has drawn huge crowds at campaign events before state elections due next year. AFP
