CHENNAI: The CBI has asked TVK president Vijay to appear before it on March 15 for the third round of questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case, after he sought time citing election-related work. Former DMK minister V Senthilbalaji, who has also been summoned by the CBI, said that he would appear before the agency on March 17. Senthilbalaji said there were contradictory reports about the CBI summons sent to him. “I will appear in person and give clarifications to their questions,” he said in an X post. Responding to questions about the notice issued to Senthilbalaji, TVK joint general secretary C T R Nirmal Kumar said the DMK leader should be the first person to be questioned in the case. “Several ministers, a central team and BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran have alleged that Senthilbalaji was the reason behind the stampede,” he said. Meanwhile, the CBI has turned down the request from Vijay to appear before investigators in Chennai or elsewhere in TN. He was directed to appear at the agency’s office in New Delhi. TNN
