AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Saturday accused Chief Minister Vijay of trying to gain political mileage from the ‘Jem’ Veeramani case. Speaking to reporters in Maduranthakam, EPS disputed Vijay’s claim that Veeramani was arrested on the Chief Minister’s instructions under the POCSO law.
EPS said the case was originally registered during the DMK regime and, according to him, the prosecution had earlier told the court there was insufficient evidence to proceed, but the judge did not accept it. He added that after the TVK government assumed office, the matter came up again in court.
He alleged that police sought adjournments and did not file the final report within the timeline directed by the judge. EPS said that when the case was heard again on August 20, police again sought time without submitting the final report, and on August 27 they cited a pending forensic report.
According to EPS, the court subsequently ordered Veeramani’s arrest due to the delays, and the arrest was carried out based on that judicial direction. He further claimed the government had dragged the case for three months, and linked this to Veeramani’s presence at an event attended by ministers Venkataramanan and Lokesh, where Lokesh allegedly introduced him as a family friend.
EPS also alleged that after the TVK government came to power, there had been 250 murders and 300 sexual assault incidents, and questioned what response the Chief Minister would give. He claimed offenders had no fear under the present administration.
