CPI(M) Seeks Suspension of Officers, HC-Monitored SIT in Veeramani POCSO Case

CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Friday demanded the suspension of police officers allegedly connected with the improper handling of the POCSO Act case against Gem Granites owner R. Veeramani, and called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe under the supervision of the Madras High Court.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Mr. Shanmugam said fresh details were surfacing daily, with reports pointing to the involvement of more individuals in the case. He attributed the matter coming to light to the order passed by POCSO Act Cases Special Court Judge Padma Shanmugasundaram, which, he said, had forced the present Tamil Nadu government to act.

Mr. Shanmugam said complaints had been lodged with the police in 2024 and 2025, but were not investigated properly. He alleged that the accused were able to continue committing the offences and that more people became involved with the backing of senior police officers.

"Neither the previous AIADMK or DMK governments nor the present TVK government has shown any interest in conducting a thorough investigation into the case," he alleged.

Referring to senior IPS officers, including A. Arun and N. Kannan, who have been placed on the waiting list, Mr. Shanmugam said there were reasons to suspect their alleged role in the improper handling of the case. He warned that if they remained in their posts, they could tamper with evidence and destroy documentary records, and reiterated that all officers allegedly involved should be suspended.

CPI(M) flays Stalin

Mr. Shanmugam also challenged DMK president M.K. Stalin's statement that his party had neither intervened to protect any accused in the case nor issued any instructions to that effect while in power.

"The issue was not whether any instruction was issued during the DMK regime to protect the accused. A complaint had been lodged and an FIR registered when the DMK was in power. Why was a proper investigation not conducted after the FIR was registered? How can such an important case be ordered for closure, citing the sole reason that a particular video was not clear? If so, who exerted political pressure in this matter?" he questioned.

He said Mr. Stalin could not simply distance himself from the issue and should accept moral responsibility and explain why the officers concerned had not brought the matter to his notice. Mr. Shanmugam further alleged that crores of rupees had changed hands to cover up the offences and help the accused evade action.