Full Breakdown
Veeramani POCSO Case Fuels a Political Clash Ahead of Tamil Nadu Bypolls
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On August 29, 2026, police arrested 84-year-old granite magnate R Veeramani, founder of Gem Granites, and his associates Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan under the POCSO Act. The arrests followed a Special POCSO Court’s rejection of a police-filed closure report and its order for a fresh probe. The case has become a flashpoint in the Madurantakam Assembly by-poll on October 6, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay (TVK) accusing the opposition DMK and AIADMK of colluding to hide the crime.
Background & Context
The controversy began in October 2025 when a child-rights activist handed a pen-drive to the Anti-Vice Squad containing video footage that allegedly showed Veeramani assaulting a minor. An FIR was filed on October 7, 2025. Police sought closure in February 2026, citing inability to identify the girl. The Special POCSO Court rejected that report on August 19, 2026, directing further investigation.
Timeline
- Nov 21, 2024 – Complaint lodged by M P Ranjan Kumar.
- Oct 2025 – Pen-drive received; FIR filed Oct 7.
- Feb 2026 – Police seek closure.
- Aug 19, 2026 – Court orders renewed probe.
- Aug 29, 2026 – Veeramani, Shanthi and Simhan arrested.
- Sept 22-25, 2026 – Former employee Ganesan arrested; searches at five Veeramani-linked sites; all-women SIT constituted; Vijay launches campaign demanding “Stalin sir, open your mouth.”
- Sept 30, 2026 – High Court adjourns a petition.
Data & Statistics
- Veeramani is 84; investigators have identified seven additional alleged survivors, now adults.
- Property sales linked to the case: a 2.15-acre plot on East Coast Road sold for INR36.52 crore and a 1.44-acre plot sold for INR43.72 crore on Feb 3, 2026.
- The SIT includes four senior women officers: Additional Commissioner P C Thenmozhi, Joint Commissioner D Disha Mittal, Superintendent J Mutharasi and Deputy Commissioner V V Geethanjali, reporting to Commissioner A Amalraj.
Official Statements & Responses
- Vijay framed the case as evidence of “an evil force” in the DMK, alleging the party “buried” the investigation.
- DMK president M K Stalin rejected the claim, saying no order was issued to protect Veeramani and that all accused must face the law.
- BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai called for a Special Investigation Team to expose any financial “pay-off” network.
Criticism & Opposition
AIADMK national spokesperson Kovai Sathyan dismissed Vijay’s claim of an AIADMK-DMK alliance as “imaginary” and warned the by-poll would reject TVK’s narrative.
On-the-Ground Reports
The all-women SIT began recording survivor statements before a magistrate. Police seized digital evidence from Ganesan’s phone and are probing alleged INR70-90 crore transactions tied to property sales and possible influence-peddling.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Police vs. DMK: Police say the FIR was filed but the case was closed for “lack of strong evidence.” Stalin contends the investigation was never deliberately halted.
- Video quality: Former Law Minister S Regupathy argued the video was obscured by shadow, justifying closure; Minister N Kumar countered that claim lacks basis.
- Timing of arrests: Veeramani’s arrest came 11 months after the FIR, prompting questions about the delay, which the TVK government attributes to the court’s intervention.
What’s Next
- The High Court will hear further petitions on Sept 30, 2026.
- The Madurantakam by-poll is set for Oct 6, 2026, with counting on Oct 9, 2026.
- The SIT must issue weekly press releases; a chargesheet is expected after the investigation concludes.