NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Police have registered a case against the driver of actor-politician Vijay’s campaign vehicle in connection with an accident that allegedly occurred while the vehicle was on its way to the September 27 rally in Karur, where a stampede claimed 41 lives and left over 100 injured. The campaign vehicle of Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has also been named in the FIR, officials said on Sunday, PTI reported.According to police officials, the case pertains to an incident in which several fans on motorcycles, riding close to Vijay’s campaign bus to catch a glimpse of the actor, were allegedly involved in an accident with the vehicle. A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media and aired by TV channels, appears to show the collision involving the campaign bus.The Madras High Court, taking note of the viral footage, criticised authorities for not taking prompt action against the driver.Citing two accidents involving Vijay’s campaign vehicle, which did not stop even after dashing against the bikes of his accompanying cadres, HC also ordered registration of a hit-and-run case against the politician. “Video graph presented by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner, which has also been widely circulated in both print and visual media, clearly shows that the bus carrying Vijay, the leader of the political party, was involved in an accident,” the order stated.“In the footage, it is visibly evident that two motorcycles were involved in the accident, and that the driver of the bus, having seen the incident, fled from the scene,” the court added.The bench further noted that another accident involving the rear end of the same bus was captured in a separate clip.“Both the driver and the leader (Vijay) saw the accident but left the place without stopping… This court highly condemns the attitude of the party (TVK)… There was not even a remote sense of feeling expressed by the party taking responsibility for organising such an event. This only shows the mental state of the leader and the party,” the court said. “This Court expresses its deep anguish and concern over the failure of the authorities to take action. Even in the absence of a formal complaint from the aggrieved parties, it is the duty of the State to register a suo motu FIR and ensure that the accused face trial in accordance with law,” the order noted.Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector General Asra Garg has begun probing the Karur stampede tragedy.Garg, who visited the site at Velusamypuram told TOI that “they have started the investigation in Karur based on the orders of the court. However, he said as the investigation has only started, no other information can be revealed. He further said apart from him, the team has 2 SPs, 1 additional SP, 2 DSPs and 5 inspectors.”

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Police have registered a case against the driver of actor-politician Vijay’s campaign vehicle in connection with an accident that allegedly occurred while the vehicle was on its way to the September 27 rally in Karur, where a stampede claimed 41 lives and left over 100 injured. The campaign vehicle of Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has also been named in the FIR, officials said on Sunday, PTI reported.According to police officials, the case pertains to an incident in which several fans on motorcycles, riding close to Vijay’s campaign bus to catch a glimpse of the actor, were allegedly involved in an accident with the vehicle. A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media and aired by TV channels, appears to show the collision involving the campaign bus.The Madras High Court, taking note of the viral footage, criticised authorities for not taking prompt action against the driver.Citing two accidents involving Vijay’s campaign vehicle, which did not stop even after dashing against the bikes of his accompanying cadres, HC also ordered registration of a hit-and-run case against the politician. “Video graph presented by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner, which has also been widely circulated in both print and visual media, clearly shows that the bus carrying Vijay, the leader of the political party, was involved in an accident,” the order stated.“In the footage, it is visibly evident that two motorcycles were involved in the accident, and that the driver of the bus, having seen the incident, fled from the scene,” the court added.The bench further noted that another accident involving the rear end of the same bus was captured in a separate clip.“Both the driver and the leader (Vijay) saw the accident but left the place without stopping… This court highly condemns the attitude of the party (TVK)… There was not even a remote sense of feeling expressed by the party taking responsibility for organising such an event. This only shows the mental state of the leader and the party,” the court said. “This Court expresses its deep anguish and concern over the failure of the authorities to take action. Even in the absence of a formal complaint from the aggrieved parties, it is the duty of the State to register a suo motu FIR and ensure that the accused face trial in accordance with law,” the order noted.Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector General Asra Garg has begun probing the Karur stampede tragedy.Garg, who visited the site at Velusamypuram told TOI that “they have started the investigation in Karur based on the orders of the court. However, he said as the investigation has only started, no other information can be revealed. He further said apart from him, the team has 2 SPs, 1 additional SP, 2 DSPs and 5 inspectors.”