Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) C Joseph Vijay vowed strict action on Friday in the POCSO case involving industrialist R Veeramani, who had earlier been arrested along with two of her aides over accusations of sexual offences against minor girls.

Addressing a rally led by his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Madurantakam, CM Vijay alleged that the case had been covered up and questioned why action against the accused was allegedly delayed. He further claimed that he knew who was backing Veeramani and sought an explanation from former CM of the state, MK Stalin.

DMK supremo MK Stalin (Left) and Tamil Nadu CM Vijay (Right)

CM Vijay remarked, “One man has been abusing girls, but they have covered up this case. The entire state is asking what the deal is. Please speak up, Stalin sir.” He went on to say that while Veeramani had been arrested, no response had been received from others whom he suggested were linked to the case. Demanding accountability over the handling of the case, he said, “All are little girls. If you can’t speak about their pain, what politics have you been doing?”

DMK rejects political link

DMK President MK Stalin, however, demanded justice for the victims and maximum punishment for the ones found guilty. He also rejected allegations that his party had tried to shield anyone in the case.

Stalin remarked, “Some are spreading slander against the DMK with narrow political motives to exploit it for their benefit, and this is very disgusting,” adding that no orders had been issued during the DMK regime to protect anyone in the Veeramani case.

DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan also weighed in, rejecting attempts to link the matter to the party. He said police had registered an FIR and had laid hands on the accused, and should now proceed with the probe. He further added that the court shall determine punishment in the case.

Elangovan remarked, “Why should they involve DMK? If there was a complaint earlier, police should have investigated and taken action. Now they have acted and arrested him.”

Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP leader L Murugan, voiced demands for a fast-track court and a speedy trial. He said that the people involved in the said offences, including any officials or political leaders, should be identified and should be arrested.

What has the probe unearthed till now?

The cops swooped down on Veeramani (84), along with Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, on August 29, 2026, under provisions pertaining to sexual offences against minors. The preliminary probe allegedly indicated that several minor girls were brought to a residence where Veeramani allegedly committed sexual offences against them. The accused trio was subsequently produced before a court and was later remanded to judicial custody.

The investigating police personnel have also recorded statements from the survivors identified till now before a Judicial Magistrate. The case came to the fore in 2025 from a complaint filed by a Chennai-based NGO volunteer. The complaint stated that an unidentified person had handed over a pen drive containing video evidence allegedly showing an elderly man involved in an explicit act with a minor girl at the residence of an associate, Shanthi. After the Central Crime Branch’s anti-vice squad conducted a probe, the suspect was identified as Gem Granites Chief Veeramani.

Post-arrest, the cops are also examining alleged monetary transactions and land transfers involving several business entities and Veeramani to ascertain whether evidence was sought to be concealed or the probe derailed.

Moreover, a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been constituted to investigate the case and examine the handling of the probe.