Vijay's Marathon CBI Interrogation: A Detailed Account of the 90-Question Grilling
In a significant development in the Karur stampede investigation, actor-turned-politician Vijay faced an exhaustive day of questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday. The interrogation, which lasted over six hours at the CBI headquarters in Delhi, marked a crucial phase in the probe into the tragic incident that claimed 41 lives during a political rally last September.
Structured Interrogation with Written Framework
In a departure from conventional interrogation methods, the CBI adopted a highly structured approach by presenting Vijay with a booklet containing exactly 90 questions. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the agency relied on this written framework to ensure systematic and comprehensive questioning.
"CBI gave him a booklet containing 90 questions. A stenographer was given assistance to record his answers in English, and those were typed and duly signed later," revealed a top source close to Vijay, highlighting the formal and documentary nature of the exercise.
Timeline and Atmosphere of the Interrogation
The questioning commenced at 11:30 AM and extended well into the evening, with Vijay departing the premises around 6:15 PM. The atmosphere inside the tightly controlled room on the 10th floor of the CBI headquarters was described as challenging and intimidating, even though the actor-politician had arrived prepared for the session.
Sources indicated that Vijay had his lunch at 4 PM, hours after the interrogation began, with the CBI permitting him to bring food from outside. The questioning was conducted by a DSP-rank officer who meticulously retraced every decision and delay from the fateful rally day.
Focus on Rally Day Chronology
The 90 questions followed a chronological arc of the rally day, concentrating specifically on the sequence of events surrounding the stampede. Investigators focused on several critical aspects:
- The reasons behind Vijay's delayed arrival at scheduled rally venues
- The circumstances that led to his rushed return to Chennai the same night
- Organizational responsibility for event planning and execution
- Coordination with district administration and police authorities
- Crowd management measures including barricading and emergency facilities
Broader Investigation Context
Monday's session forms part of a comprehensive probe that the CBI took over in October following directions from the Supreme Court of India. The investigation examines whether delays in the program and lapses in planning and crowd control contributed to the tragedy that left dozens dead and over 60 injured.
The agency is particularly scrutinizing the alleged gap between the scheduled start of the rally and Vijay's actual arrival, investigating whether this delay led to dangerous crowd build-up and confusion at the venue.
Judicial Supervision and Future Proceedings
The case unfolds under close judicial supervision, with the Supreme Court having constituted a three-member supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi. The court had earlier emphasized the need for an investigation that was "completely impartial, independent and unbiased" to restore public faith in the criminal justice system.
While the CBI initially wanted Vijay to continue his deposition on Tuesday, officials agreed to defer further questioning until after Pongal at his request. He is expected to be called again to clarify certain aspects of his statement, with sources confirming that "the questioning will happen for one more day, but after Pongal, which falls on January 15."
Security Arrangements and Parallel Investigations
Anticipating large gatherings of supporters, security around the CBI headquarters was significantly tightened on Monday, with Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in strength. Despite these measures, a small group of fans managed to mingle with journalists outside the building to catch a glimpse of the actor-politician.
As part of the same investigation, the CBI has already questioned several TVK office bearers, the driver of Vijay's campaign vehicle, and former Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham. Investigators are examining video footage from the rally alongside related documents and statements from party functionaries and officials.
The intense questioning session represents a critical juncture in the ongoing investigation, with the CBI methodically piecing together the events that led to one of Tamil Nadu's most tragic political rally incidents in recent memory.
