Chennai: CBI has summoned TVK president Vijay to appear at its New Delhi office on Tuesday in connection with the Karur stampede. It also, for the first time, issued a notice to DMK’s Karur MLA V Senthilbalaji for questioning in the case, but the former minister’s aides said he didn’t get a CBI notice.Vijay’s counsel on Monday sought 15 days before he could appear before CBI, and requested the agency to have the questioning in Tamil Nadu. “We informed the agency that he would not be able to travel to Delhi now due to poll-related work and personal commitments,” said a TVK functionary. After the first round of questioning on Jan 12, Vijay sought a revised schedule, citing Pongal. He then appeared on Jan 19, when CBI officers indicated it would be the last round. CBI sources confirmed the request made by Vijay’s counsel and said the agency was examining the proposal for a different date for his appearance. During the previous session, Vijay told investigators that insufficient police deployment at his Karur rally contributed to the situation that led to the stampede in which 41 people died. The CBI took over the investigation from a special investigation team following a Supreme Court order on a petition filed by TVK seeking an independent probe.In another matter related to Vijay, the CBFC postponed the review of Vijay’s film ‘Jana Nayagan’ from March 9 to March 17, attributing it to the ill health of one screening panel member.Senthilbalaji’s team said neither his home nor office received the CBI notice for appearance. CBI sources said the communication was sent to him through email too, but there was no response. Officials said they would issue a fresh notice.
