Actor-turned-politician Vijay accuses DMK and AIADMK of silence over POCSO case as Tamil Nadu forms SIT

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C Joseph Vijay has criticized both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK for their silence regarding the alleged POCSO case involving R Veeramani, the head of the Gem Group of Companies. Speaking in Madurantakam during the campaign for candidate Maragatham Kumaravel ahead of the October 6 by-poll, Vijay claimed that young women and girls have been exploited for years and alleged that a past administration previously buried the case. He specifically called out DMK chief MK Stalin and urged voters to back the whistle symbol in the upcoming election.

Investigation and Transfers

Hours before the campaign speech, the state government established a Special Investigation Team made up of senior female IPS officers to handle the inquiry. Ordered by Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, the SIT includes P C Thenmozhi, Disha Mittal, J Mutharasi, and V V Geethanjali. This development follows the September 24 transfer of several top police officials, including Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun, Additional Commissioner N Kannan, and Assistant Commissioner M A Yasmin, who were placed on compulsory wait by the government.

Political Reactions

In response to the accusations, DMK president MK Stalin stated that Veeramani was arrested over serious allegations involving young girls and insisted that no one involved or attempting to shield him should escape punishment. Stalin denied that any past DMK government protected the accused, noting that culprits in crimes against women are routinely arrested and prosecuted without bias. He also urged the TVK leadership to stop using the tragedy of young victims for by-election politics and to halt the spread of false claims through the media.