Gem Veeramani POCSO case explodes into TVK-DMK bypoll battle

The POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani has exploded into a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling TVK and the Opposition DMK trading sharp accusations even as the investigation gathers pace.

What began as a delayed probe has now become a central talking point in the ongoing by-election campaign, echoing earlier controversies such as the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case and the 2024 Anna University student sexual assault case that damaged the then ruling parties.

TVK leaders have accused both the previous AIADMK and DMK governments of burying crimes instead of investigating them. The current C Joseph Vijay government, they say, is determined to break that pattern.

CCB examines digital evidence

Meanwhile, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Wing of Chennai Police arrested Ganesan, a former employee of Gem Granites, after recovering a video allegedly involving a minor from his mobile phone. Investigators say he neither informed the police about the clip nor surrendered it. Produced in court, Ganesan was remanded to judicial custody and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.

Also read: Pollachi parallel? Gem Veeramani POCSO case spurs TVK vs DMK political row

The CCB is now examining digital evidence to establish how the video reached Ganesan, who sent it, its origin, and the chain of transmission. Sources indicate police are also moving to arrest the son of a railway trade union official.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar questioned why the previous DMK government did not seek additional time from the court when the 45-day deadline expired and instead submitted a closure report citing insufficient evidence in the Veeramani case. He pointed to former Law Minister Ragupathy’s remark that the video was “not clear”.

“Did Ragupathy himself watch the video or was he told about it? If the footage was unclear, the proper course was to wait for better evidence and seek more time. Why rush to close the case?” Nirmal Kumar asked.

Minister questions ex-CM Stalin

He compared the episode to the Anna University case, in which, he alleged, the DMK first tried to shield Gnanasekaran, the sole convict.

“A businessman of Veeramani’s stature would have approached a real power centre, either the Chief Minister’s office or senior ministers to get the matter closed,” Nirmal Kumar told The Federal.

He noted the case had remained pending for five months since last October. “Only a party like the DMK could have extracted such a deal. That is why they are overreacting now. Ragupathy is still doing the work of protecting Veeramani," he claimed.

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Nirmal Kumar contrasted this with the current investigation: key accused arrested, and survivor details protected from public view. “What was then-Chief Minister Stalin doing while holding the law-and-order portfolio? Is this what they meant by ‘low crime’ under DMK rule?”

'One crime cannot decide an election'

DMK leaders insist they neither withdrew the case nor protected anyone. Ragupathy said the party had merely waited for adequate evidence because the video did not show a clear picture. “We did not close the case. We did not stay it. Whoever is involved, whoever supported them, must face the law. We will fight to ensure no accused escapes,” he stated.

Ragupathy turned the attack on the present TVK government, asking why Vijay took no action for 21 days after a complaint was filed. “Were you in a coma or did someone negotiate a deal? We did not need to take money from Veeramani to avoid an arrest,” he said.

He also cited other cases: the Salem sexual assault involving ruling party workers, where alleged protectors were not arrested, and the Srivaikuntam MLA episode, in which two others were charged while the legislator was left out. “The government prosecutor remains silent in court. How much has this government paid to deceive the judiciary?” Ragupathy asked. He added that a volunteer, not the survivors, first registered the Gem Granites complaint, after which action followed.

Political observer Dayalan Shanmugam told The Federal that the TVK is using the Veeramani case to script a narrative against the DMK and that the “hero” phase is now over.

“One crime cannot decide an election. The Kallakurichi hooch tragedy and the Karur stampede did not dominate the campaign. Vijay’s honeymoon is ending sooner than expected because of unscheduled power cuts, tariff hikes and drinking-water shortages. The government is leaking details of the Veeramani case bit by bit to keep it in the headlines and distract from these failures,” he said.