Hema Malini's Car Meets With Accident En Route to TVK Stampede Site In Karur

BJP MP Hema Malini was involved in a minor vehicular collision near Chinniyampalayam in Coimbatore district on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred as she was travelling to Karur with a parliamentary delegation to visit the site of the stampede and meet the victims.

Reports in the Tamil media claim that there were no injuries, and the MP subsequently continued her journey.

Malini is heading an eight-member NDA delegation to investigate the devastating stampede at a political rally in Karur on September 27. The tragedy, which occurred during an event for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, claimed 41 lives.

Before departing from Coimbatore airport, the delegation, which includes MP Anurag Thakur, expressed profound condolences to the victims' families.

Malini, who has her origins in Tamil Nadu, said, "We have come to visit Karur and look into the matter and how the circumstances led to this incident. Our national president JP Nadda has also come here to express his heartfelt condolences and console the patients at the hospital."

As per Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran, the MPs will first visit the stampede site, then the hospital where the injured are being treated, and finally meet with the families of all 41 deceased.

A day ago, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met affected families at the Government Medical College Hospital.

Karur Tragedy

The stampede occurred on Saturday evening as thousands of supporters gathered for a rally addressed by TVK chief and actor Vijay. Witnesses said that the crowd, which had assembled hours in advance, grew restless, leading to a chaotic situation where numerous individuals fainted and fell. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 40 individuals, including 17 women and nine children.

In response, Vijay announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh to the family of each deceased individual, acknowledging that the sum could not replace their "irreparable loss."

Meanwhile, his TVK party has filed a petition in the Madras High Court alleging a "political conspiracy" behind the stampede. The party is seeking an independent or court-monitored probe into the incident. This legal move comes weeks after the High Court previously cautioned the TVK to act responsibly during its rallies and advised state authorities to establish uniform conditions for all political public gatherings.