Overview

• Officials reported at least 39 deaths, including children, with roughly 50–95 people hospitalized after the Karur rally turned chaotic.
• Police said organizers sought permission for about 10,000–12,000 people but an estimated 27,000 arrived, with many waiting for hours in heat before Vijay’s late evening appearance and a subsequent power cut.
• The state named Justice Aruna Jagdishan to lead the inquiry and announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for each bereaved family, as additional police and medical resources were deployed.
• ADGP Davidson Devasirvatham rejected TVK’s claims of stone-pelting, asserted directions were ignored, and detailed that crowd overflowed from Karur and nearby Namakkal; TVK moved court alleging a conspiracy and seeking an independent probe.
• An ambulance operator alleged TVK workers targeted rescue vehicles, causing delays, an assertion now under investigation; FIRs have been filed against two TVK leaders, and Vijay separately announced compensation for victims and the injured.