No such order...:Stalin rejects TVK claims of shielding Veeramani in sex abuse case

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin rejected TVK allegations that the DMK government shielded granite baron R Veeramani in a high-profile POCSO case, calling the claims "false and defamatory." The case was reopened after a special POCSO court rejected a closure report, with the expanded probe identifying more than seven survivors who were minors.Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK StalinChennai,Sep 24, 2026 22:39 ISTThe high-profile POCSO case involving 84-year-old granite baron R Veeramani has turned into a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) questioning why he was not arrested earlier despite a complaint and FIR having been filed late last year. Responding to the allegations, DMK chief MK Stalin said no order had been issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and called claims that the previous administration shielded Veeramani “false and defamatory”.The case against Veeramani first came to light in October 2025 after an NGO handed over a pen drive to Chennai Police. The footage on the device allegedly showed a minor being sexually assaulted, following which an FIR was registered against him.The investigation went on for around five months, but the police later filed a closure report, saying there was not enough evidence to proceed and that they had been unable to identify the girl seen in the footage.Police also pointed to gaps in the videos, the failure to recover the original footage and the absence of corroboration from neighbours. These factors were cited as reasons for seeking closure of the case after the initial probe. The case took a fresh turn when a special POCSO court rejected the closure report and directed that further investigation be carried out.The expanded probe has so far identified more than seven survivors who were minors at the time of the offences, with police saying they belonged to economically weaker sections. Disturbing visuals of Veeramani in a compromising position with a minor girl were exclusively accessed by India Today TV and are at the centre of the child sexual abuse allegations. The footage was first handed to the police by Tamil Nadu Congress leader MP Ranjan Kumar, who said he approached senior police officers after being shocked to see a man resembling Veeramani in the visuals.The visuals submitted to police as evidence show Veeramani with a girl, while another screenshot shows him on a bed in a compromising position. He has been described as the “Epstein of Tamil Nadu” in connection with allegations of sexual abuse of minors.TVK leaders have accused the previous DMK government of trying to shield Veeramani despite the complaint and FIR. The case has since become both a criminal matter and a political issue, with the earlier complaint, FIR and questions over delayed action coming under focus.Stalin said accused persons in cases involving crimes against women and minor girls were arrested without discrimination and chargesheets filed during the DMK government, adding that efforts were made to secure convictions.Taking aim at the TVK government, Stalin said there were no instances under the DMK administration where sexual allegations against party functionaries, including MLAs and district secretaries, were publicly made and no action was taken, followed by attempts to settle the matter and close the case.He accused those in the ruling party of using the suffering of the minor girls as a tool for the by-election and spreading “completely false and defamatory allegations” against the DMK.Stalin said securing justice for the affected minor girls should be the sole objective of everyone involved.- Ends