Stories
TN Minister Alleges Cover-Up in Veeramani POCSO Case, Blames Previous DMK Regime
- •Tamil Nadu Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar accused the previous DMK government of attempting to settle and cover up the POCSO case involving Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani.
- •Nirmal Kumar claimed that despite police awareness, no effective legal action was taken due to alleged attempts to settle the matter with large sums of money.
- •He reiterated that the DMK was "overreacting" to actions against Veeramani and deliberately shielding him, alleging an initial 2024 complaint was suppressed and a closure report filed due to "insufficient evidence."
- •The minister questioned how such alleged extortion and extra-judicial settlements could occur without the knowledge of the state's Home department and intelligence machinery.
- •Nirmal Kumar assured a transparent probe under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's supervision, vowing strict legal action against anyone involved in covering up the case, extortion, or destroying evidence.
Key Questions Answered
The state government has established a four-member all-women Special Investigation Team to investigate the POCSO case against Gem Granites chairman R. Veeramani and related matters under the supervision of the Chennai Police Commissioner. Meanwhile, the Chennai POCSO Special Court extended Veeramani's judicial custody until October 9.
Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar alleged that the previous DMK regime deliberately shielded R. Veeramani and suppressed an initial 2024 complaint by filing a closure report citing insufficient evidence. He claimed that extra-judicial settlements and massive extortion attempts occurred in the capital with knowledge withheld by the state intelligence machinery.
R. Veeramani, who was arrested on August 29, had his judicial custody extended by the Chennai POCSO Special Court until October 9. Additionally, two of his associates, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, who were also arrested in connection with the case, moved the POCSO Special Court seeking bail.