Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK leader C Joseph Vijay has ramped up his criticism of the DMK over the sexual abuse case involving granite businessman R Veeramani. Speaking to a campaign meeting ahead of the October 6 bypoll, Vijay questioned on DMK president MK Stalin’s management of the case when the DMK was in power. He demanded Stalin speak publicly about the case and alleged that there was an understanding between the DMK and AIADMK over the case. The allegations follow the widening of the investigation into the case following a rejection by a Special POCSO Court of an earlier closure report.
Vijay asks Stalin to speak
Vijay spoke directly to Stalin during his campaign speech about his lack of explanation of the case.
He alleged that the case had not been pursued properly under the previous DMK government and questioned if there was any political understanding over the matter. Vijay also criticised both the DMK and AIADMK for not being more open-minded on the case.
The allegations made by Vijay are purely political and have not been substantiated by the court.
The case is set to be the biggest political row in Tamil Nadu after the investigation into it has continued and the number of alleged survivors has grown.
What happened to the Veeramani case?
The case came to police attention in October 2025 after a child rights worker received a pen drive containing video footage that allegedly depicted the sexual abuse of a minor girl. Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Investigations filed a report seeking to close the case, citing issues with the evidence provided and the difficulties in identifying the girl depicted in the footage. The Special POCSO Court, however, denied the closure report and ordered for further investigation.
The renewed investigation has shifted the course taken by the case. Veeramani was arrested in August alongside Shanthi and her husband Mahendra Simhan. Police have alleged that Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan facilitated the alleged offences. The allegations against the accused are yet to be decided by a court.
Probe widens after court order
The investigation into the case has widened beyond the initial complaint. Police traced the girl depicted in the footage and took her statement before a magistrate.
Investigators have also identified other women who were minors at the time the incidents were alleged to have taken place. According to police sources cited in recent reports, statements from at least seven alleged survivors have been taken before the court.
Police have also searched properties associated with Veeramani and are looking at digital evidence and the roles of people connected with the case.
The case is also being investigated from the perspective of those who were involved in the initial investigation.
DMK rejects allegations of shielding Veeramani
The DMK rejected allegations that its government protected Veeramani or deliberately weakened the case.
DMK legal wing secretary N R Elango said that the case was not simply closed under the previous government. He said the investigation into the case was kept open for further evidence after police found that the evidence provided was not sufficient at the time.
Stalin has also rejected allegations that his government shielded Veeramani, calling the claims false and defamatory.
The political row comes as the investigation into the case is ongoing. A Special POCSO Court has ordered for further investigation and police continue to look at the original evidence, statements from alleged survivors and the actions of those involved in the earlier probe.
The court proceedings and investigation will ultimately decide the facts of the case. For now, Vijay’s allegations against the previous government remain part of an ongoing political row.