AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Friday accused Chief Minister Vijay of making false claims over the arrest of “Gem Granite” Veeramani, insisting the action was carried out strictly on a court’s direction.
Speaking in Maduranthakam, EPS said the case against Veeramani was originally registered during the DMK’s tenure. He claimed that during hearings, when it was argued there was no evidence, the judge did not accept that contention.
EPS said that after the change in government, the case came up in court on June 19, when officials sought time. The judge, he said, directed that complete details and a report be submitted within four weeks. He added that on August 3 the final report was still not filed, and time was sought again.
According to EPS, when the matter was heard again on August 27, police and the government prosecutor told the court that a forensic department report had not been received. He said the judge, citing repeated adjournments and delays, ordered Veeramani’s immediate arrest, following which the police acted.
EPS further alleged that the Chief Minister’s election-campaign remarks portraying the arrest as a government-ordered move were “an outright lie,” and claimed the CM was “acting” in public life. He also alleged that after the current government took charge, 250 murders and 300 sexual harassment incidents had occurred, and asked what response the Chief Minister would give.
