Veeramani POCSO Case Sparks TVK-DMK Clash Over Police Probe
TVK and DMK have clashed over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, focusing on the earlier closure attempt and questions surrounding video evidence.
A political dispute has intensified in Tamil Nadu over the handling of the POCSO case involving granite businessman R Veeramani, with the ruling TVK questioning the previous DMK government's investigation and the opposition defending its actions. The controversy centres on a video submitted to police in October 2025 and a subsequent attempt to close the case.
Former Law Minister S Regupathy said an FIR was registered within a day of receiving the complaint and denied that the previous government had tried to protect Veeramani. He said the video available at the time was unclear because of shadows and that investigators were waiting for additional evidence rather than withdrawing the case.
Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar questioned how Regupathy knew that the footage contained shadows and whether he had personally seen it or received the information from investigators. He also argued that authorities should have sought more time for investigation instead of moving towards a closure report.
Police had earlier sought to close the case after difficulties identifying the girl seen in the footage, but a special POCSO court rejected the closure report and ordered further investigation. The renewed probe led to the survivor being traced and additional alleged survivors being identified. Veeramani and associates were subsequently arrested.
The dispute now extends beyond the political exchange, with investigators examining whether there were lapses or attempts to influence the original investigation.
