Veeramani Child Abuse Case Sparks Bypoll Political Storm in Tamil Nadu

An alleged child sexual abuse case involving granite businessman R Veeramani has become a major political issue during campaigning for the October 6 bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly seats. The case began in October 2024 after police received a pen drive with a video showing the abuse of a minor, leading to an FIR. In February, the police tried to close the case because they could not identify the victim or find enough evidence, but a Special POCSO court refused the closure report and ordered further inquiry. This renewed probe led to the identification of survivors and the arrest of Veeramani and two associates on August 29. TVK founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay seized on the case during a campaign stop in Madurantakam, publicly challenging DMK chief M K Stalin and demanding answers over the previous police handling of the matter. Standing beside TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel, Vijay labeled the DMK an evil force. Stalin hit back by questioning Vijay over fielding Kumaravel, a former AIADMK legislator who switched parties. The current government has formed a four-member all-women Special Investigation Team to probe the case under the Chennai police commissioner. Senior IPS officers A Arun and N Kannan were placed on compulsory wait by the state government due to the controversy. N Kannan stated that Arun was informed about the case and video in November 2024, making Arun a target for political criticism. Stalin has denied that his government tried to protect Veeramani, noting that the police action and closure attempt happened under judicial oversight rather than political direction. Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam questioned why the earlier police investigation was not pursued more effectively before the court intervened, while also rejecting the current government's attempt to claim sole credit for reviving the probe.