Stalin rejects charges of shielding Veeramani in assault case
M.K. Stalin denies the DMK shielded industrialist Veeramani in a child sexual assault case, saying the accused was arrested and no one should be spared.
DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday rejected allegations that his party had shielded industrialist and Gem Granites founder Veeramani in a child sexual assault case, describing the claims as false and reprehensible.
In a statement, Mr. Stalin said no instruction had been issued during the DMK's tenure to protect anyone connected with the case. He noted that Mr. Veeramani had been arrested and asserted that anyone who colluded with him or tried to shield him should face consequences, irrespective of the position they hold.
"This is the stand of the DMK," he said, adding that the outcome of the case should serve as a deterrent against such crimes in the future. He described this as his expectation both as a party leader and as a person with a conscience.
Mr. Stalin said his government had acted without favour in cases involving crimes against women and girls, with charge sheets filed and accused persons punished by courts. He said this record was known to the public and that the DMK had faced no pressure to save anyone.
Drawing a contrast with the current TVK government, he alleged that the earlier DMK administration never sought to shield anyone, while the present regime was allegedly doing so. He claimed that despite complaints by affected women against a TVK MLA and district secretaries, no action had been taken and attempts had been made to reach a compromise.
Mr. Stalin urged the ruling party to stop using the suffering of young girls as a tool in a by-election and to refrain from spreading falsehoods. Delivering justice, he said, should be the shared objective of all.