Karur stampede: TVK functionaries Mathiyazhagan, Pounraj remanded in 15-day judicial custody

The Karur Judicial Magistrate Court on Tuesday remanded two functionaries of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in 15-day judicial custody in connection with the stampede at a party rally that claimed 41 lives.

The accused are V.P. Mathiyazhagan, TVK's Karur West district secretary, and M.C. Pounraj, the party's central town secretary. They were arrested on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, police said.

Mr. Mathiyazhagan is listed as the first accused in the case. He was picked up by police on Monday, September 29. Mr. Pounraj was arrested later. Police sources said he allegedly sheltered Mr. Mathiyazhagan at his residence in Gujiliamparai.

Both were produced before the court in Karur on Tuesday. The magistrate ordered judicial custody for 15 days.

According to police sources, Mr. Pounraj has also been named as an accused in the primary case registered by the Karur Town police. The primary case relates to the stampede, which occurred during a rally addressed by TVK president Vijay.

The stampede led to the deaths of 41 people. The incident triggered a police investigation and a series of arrests. The case is being probed by local police. The arrests of the two TVK functionaries are part of that investigation.

Judicial custody means the accused are sent to prison under the court's order. It is different from police custody, where an accused is in police control for interrogation. A remand order does not amount to a finding of guilt. The accused have the right to legal representation and to apply for bail.

In a related development, YouTuber Felix Gerald was arrested for a video that attributed motives to the Karur stampede, according to reports. The investigation into the stampede continues.

The TVK, led by actor Vijay, is a political party in Tamil Nadu. The rally in Karur was one of its public events. The stampede was among the deadliest crowd incidents in recent memory in the state.

Public attention has focused on crowd management at large political gatherings. Questions have been raised about safety arrangements, permissions, and crowd control. The police have not announced conclusions about the cause of the stampede. The investigation is ongoing.

Legal experts note that in such cases, multiple accused may be named based on allegations. The court will decide on the evidence. The remand is a procedural step to ensure the accused are available for investigation.

Further developments are expected as the investigation progresses. The police may seek custody or file charges based on evidence. The court will hear the matter as per procedure.

It is important to recall that all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The judicial process must be allowed to take its course. The families of the victims and the accused have the right to a fair and transparent investigation.

The Karur stampede has also renewed debates about safety at large public events. In recent years, similar incidents have occurred at religious festivals and political rallies across the country. Experts have called for better crowd management, clear emergency exits, and strict enforcement of safety norms.

The families of the 41 victims have the right to know the outcome of the investigation. The state has a duty to ensure a fair probe. The case has drawn attention to the need for accountability in crowd safety.

The case will continue in the coming weeks. The court may extend the judicial custody or consider bail pleas. The investigation agency is expected to file a charge sheet after completing its probe.