Karur Stampede: After Madras high court rap, rash driving FIR slapped on Vijay's driver

KARUR: Tamil Nadu police charged the driver of actor-politician Vijay's bus with negligent driving, a day after Madras high court questioned why no FIR was filed over two alleged hit-and-run accidents involving the convoy of the TVK chief's campaign during the September 27 Karur stampede that killed 41 people.

Inspector RS Om Prakash said a case was registered against the campaign bus driver under Section 281 of BNS , which deals with rash driving or riding on a public way that endangers life. Asked why no separate case was filed under provisions specific to hit-and-run, he said Section 281 "also covers that aspect", but declined to elaborate.

HC had earlier said: "Media footage shows the bus carrying Vijay was involved in an accident where two motorcycles were hit. The driver, after seeing the accident, fled the scene. A similar collision at the rear of the bus is also visible. In both cases, FIRs have not been registered."

A police SIT formed to probe the stampede began its work Sunday. Headed by IG Asra Garg, the team inspected the Velusamypuram rally site. "Probe has just begun. Nothing more can be said at this stage," Garg said.

The team will probe alleged overcrowding, security lapses, crowd control failures, and claims that Vijay's delayed arrival triggered the fatal crowd crush. The stampede has since sparked a fierce political row - Vijay's TVK hinting at a conspiracy, while the AIADMK and BJP blamed the DMK-led state government. CM MK Stalin's govt has claimed that the crowd surge followed Vijay's delayed appearance.