Veeramani Pocso case: TVK asks how ex-minister knew about video, DMK counters

A political row has erupted between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's TVK and the DMK over the handling of the Pocso case against granite baron R Veeramani, with questions being raised over the handling of the case since it first surfaced in October 2025.

While TVK has alleged lapses in the previous DMK government's handling of the case, former Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy defended the probe, saying there was no undue influence or attempt to save Veeramani. The incumbent Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar questioned whether Regupathy was personally involved in the probe after the DMK leader mentioned details about video evidence in the case.

Veeramani, chairman of GEM Group of Companies, was arrested in late August after a probe into allegations that several girls were sexually abused at a rented house in Chennai. The investigation has since widened, with more than seven women allegedly identified as survivors who were minors when the alleged offences took place.

The case first surfaced in October 2025, when an NGO activist handed over a pen drive containing a video of a minor being sexually assaulted. An FIR was registered on October 7 against Veeramani.

However, the initial investigation continued for around five months before police sought to close the case, citing a lack of sufficient evidence and difficulties in identifying the girl in the video. The special Pocso court rejected the closure report and directed the police to conduct a further investigation.

Speaking to reporters, Regupathy said there had been no attempt by the then DMK government to protect Veeramani or close the case in his favour.

"We have no connection with GEM Granites Veeramani. As far as we are concerned, on October 6, 2025, an NGO activist filed a complaint with a video record. FIR was filed on October 7," Regupathy said.

He argued that the prompt registration of the FIR itself showed that the government had not sought to shield Veeramani.

"Had he been important to us, there wouldn't have been any need for us to file an FIR on October 7. We could have delayed," he said.

Regupathy said the video available at the time did not provide clear evidence because the visuals were obscured by shadow.

"But as the video had shadow, no clear picture and as we didn't get clear evidence, in court we didn't say that we will withdraw the case. We only mentioned that we will wait until more evidence is acquired," he said.

He denied that the case had been withdrawn to benefit Veeramani.

"We didn't withdraw any case in favour of anyone. Then how can we be accused of trying to save him?" he asked.

Responding to Regupathy's explanation, Law Minister Nirmal Kumar questioned how the former minister knew that the video contained shadow and whether he had personally seen it or had received the information from someone involved in the investigation.

"He says that they watched the videos and there was shadow. Who told him that there was shadow in that video? Did he see that or someone who watched told him?" Nirmal Kumar asked.

The minister also challenged Regupathy's explanation that the case was kept open while investigators sought additional evidence.

"He claims that the video was covered in shadow, so they waited to gather more evidence and the case was not closed. This shows what kind of Law Minister he has been for five years," Nirmal Kumar said.

He argued that the police's move amounted to a closure report and questioned why the government did not seek additional time for the investigation instead.

"They are saying that if investigation couldn't be completed in 45 days, a closure report will be given. What they should have done is, the government should have asked for two more months to investigate," he said.

Nirmal Kumar said Regupathy should explain how he came to know about the nature of the video.

"He has come to a conclusion that there was shadow in the video. For this alone, Regupathy should reply. How did he come to know of that? Who told him? Did someone dealing with this tell him?" the minister asked.

The political exchange comes as the investigation into the Veeramani case has widened following the rejection of the earlier police closure report. A fresh probe led to the tracing of the girl seen in the footage and the identification of additional survivors. Veeramani and his associates have since been arrested in connection with the case.

Nirmal Kumar also pointed to the possibility that crucial evidence could have been lost had the matter not been revisited.

"It's God that the evidence was recorded earlier, or else they would have destroyed it," he said.

A fresh investigation is underway to establish whether there were any lapses in the original probe and whether anyone attempted to obstruct or weaken it.- EndsPublished By: Ajmal Published On: Sep 23, 2026 11:28 IST