India, Jan. 15 -- Tamil actor-politician Vijay has requested the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to defer his next round of questioning in the Karur stampede case, citing the festival of Pongal (January 15) and the upcoming release of his final film Jana Nayagan. Meanwhile, his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has alleged "several lapses" in the probe. Vijay appeared before the CBI in Delhi on January 12 in connection with the stampede in Karur, Tamil Nadu on September 7 last year, which left 41 people dead. TVK general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar, who was also questioned by the agency, said that Vijay has sought time until next week. "He requested that the enquiry be held after Pongal in view of the festival and also his film release. He will be informed about the next date," Kumar told reporters in Chennai, adding, "Chief Minister MK Stalin claimed 607 policemen were present on duty during the Karur incident, Additional DGP (Law and Order) Davidson Devasirvatham said there were 500 policemen. When there is a discrepancy in the number, imagine the real situation." htc...