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R. Veeramani arrested in POCSO case amid Tamil Nadu political row
R. Veeramani, the 84-year-old founder of Gem Granites, has been arrested in connection with a POCSO case involving the alleged sexual assault of minor girls. The investigation, which was reopened after a special POCSO court rejected a previous closure report, has led to the arrest of Veeramani and his associates, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, on August 29.
The case has triggered intense political conflict in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has accused the previous DMK administration of attempting to suppress the investigation and alleged collusion between the DMK, AIADMK, and BJP to shield the businessman. Conversely, DMK President M. K. Stalin has denied these claims, stating the government never issued orders to protect any individual and labeling the accusations as political hypocrisy.
Law Minister R. Nirmal Kumar further alleged that the initial 2024 complaint was suppressed and that attempts were made to settle the matter through extra-judicial negotiations involving large sums of money. In response to the scrutiny of the initial probe, an expanded all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to conduct a comprehensive investigation. Veeramani remains in judicial custody, which has been extended until October 9.
Entities
AIADMK · C. Joseph Vijay · DMK · Gem Granites · M. K. Stalin · MK Stalin · R Veeramani · R. Veeramani · Tamil Nadu · Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam · Vijay
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] An FIR was filed to facilitate extra-judicial negotiations and extortion from Veeramani. www.dtnext.in · www.nationalheraldindia.com · www.news18.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Police filed a closure report in 2024 citing insufficient evidence before the case was reopened. www.dtnext.in · www.nationalheraldindia.com · www.news18.com · www.malaimurasu.com · www.aajtak.in · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The judicial custody of R. Veeramani has been extended until October 9. www.nationalheraldindia.com · newstodaynet.com · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The arrest of Veeramani was due to court intervention rather than actions by the TVK government.
- [● 2 SOURCES] There is political collusion between the DMK, AIADMK, and BJP. www.aajtak.in
- [● 3 SOURCES] An all-women Special Investigation Team has been established to probe the case. www.nationalheraldindia.com · newstodaynet.com · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg
- [● 4 SOURCES] The DMK government never issued orders to protect any individual in the Veeramani case. www.aajtak.in · www.millenniumpost.in · sanjeevnitoday.com · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The previous DMK government attempted to suppress the POCSO case involving R. Veeramani. www.aajtak.in · chennaivision.com · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay alleged political collusion between the DMK, AIADMK, and BJP regarding the case. www.aajtak.in · www.millenniumpost.in · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The DMK government denied issuing orders to protect any individual in the Veeramani case. www.aajtak.in · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Minister R. Nirmal Kumar alleged that an FIR was filed to facilitate extra-judicial negotiations and extortion from Veeramani. www.dtnext.in · www.nationalheraldindia.com · www.news18.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Police arrested R. Veeramani and his associates, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, on August 29. thecommunemag.com · newstodaynet.com · www.tamilmurasu.com.sg