TVK demands Stalin explain DMK's handling of Veeramani POCSO case
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, demanded that Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin explain how the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani was handled during the previous government. The party alleged that the investigation was allowed to weaken and questioned why a final report was filed without what it described as a thorough probe.
Key Allegations
In an official statement, TVK accused the former government of failing to take effective action in a case that had drawn significant public concern. The party specifically questioned why Stalin, whom it referred to as the arangavalar (trustee) of the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam, had not acted against Veeramani. TVK alleged the case had been 'buried', though its statement did not provide evidence directly establishing that Stalin intervened in the investigation.
Questions Over Former Law Minister's Role
TVK also trained its sights on former Law Minister S. Regupathy, challenging his assessment of video footage submitted in connection with the case. The party disputed his contention that the footage was unclear and alleged that this assessment may have affected the course of the investigation. 'Under whose pressure did the then Law Minister Regupathy allow the investigation to be weakened? What was the reason?' TVK's statement demanded.
Final Report at the Centre of Dispute
A central grievance in TVK's statement was the filing of a final report in the case. The party alleged the report was submitted without a proper investigation, though it did not specify the contents of the report or identify a particular decision by investigators it sought to have reviewed. The nature and current status of the final report remain unverified based on available information.
DMK's Silence Questioned
Turning directly to the DMK leadership, TVK asked why the party had remained silent about the case. 'Who are you trying to protect through this silence? If there was no connection, should you not answer these questions openly?' the statement read. TVK's intervention places the previous government's handling of the case squarely at the centre of Tamil Nadu's political discourse. Notably, the responses of Stalin and Regupathy to these questions were not available at the time of this report.
Context and Caveats
The allegations against Veeramani arise under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. TVK's latest statement does not establish wrongdoing by Stalin or Regupathy — these remain allegations made by a political party. This is the latest escalation in a politically charged dispute that pits the ruling TVK against the DMK, reflecting broader tensions between the two parties in Tamil Nadu's evolving political landscape.