Published Sep 25, 2026 | 2:09 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 25, 2026 | 2:09 PM
The protest was led by the party’s state secretary, P. Shanmugam.
The Tamil Nadu CPI(M) staged a protest in Chennai on Friday, September 25, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the POCSO case involving businessman ‘Gem Veeramani’ and the arrest of those who allegedly aided him in the offences. The protest was led by the party’s state secretary, P. Shanmugam.
Speaking at the protest, Shanmugam claimed that the TVK government had played no independent role in intensifying the investigation and was now attempting to create the impression that it had taken the initiative to ensure a fair probe. He said the government was “forced to act” following the intervention of the POCSO Special Court.
Shanmugam pointed to the closure report filed by the police in February, seeking to end the case citing “lack of evidence”. The POCSO court rejected the report and ordered a fresh investigation in August. Shanmugam argued that the fresh investigation, which led to arrests of Veeramani and his accomplices, came only after the intervention of the POCSO court and, therefore, could not be presented as an initiative of the TVK government.
Shanmugam alleged that the case involved a wider network and that officials, police personnel, political figures and intermediaries may have been involved in shielding the perpetrators.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu forms four-member all-women SIT to probe Veeramani POCSO case
Referring to the transfer of senior police officers A. Arun, N. Kannan and M.A. Yasmin in connection with the case, Shanmugam alleged that there was preliminary evidence implicating them. He demanded a thorough investigation into their roles.
The CPI(M) leader also demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Madras High Court, comprising independent police officers, to investigate the case and bring all those responsible to justice, irrespective of their political position, official rank or financial influence.
Shanmugam further called for strict protection of the identities and privacy of the children involved and urged media organisations not to circulate videos or sexually explicit material involving minors in the name of reporting.
He said the CPI(M) would continue to demand justice for the affected children and a time-bound investigation into the case.
The Tamil Nadu Police on September 24 formed a four-member, all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case amid intensified scrutiny over alleged lapses in the investigation, including the circulation of details revealing the identities of the minor victims in local and national publications and social media.
The SIT was formed on the same day action was taken against three senior police officers over their alleged roles in delaying and suppressing the case.
Additional Director General of Police A. Arun has been placed under compulsory wait at the office of the DGP in Chennai. Similarly, N. Kannan, Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City, has also been placed under compulsory wait at the DGP’s office. Arun had previously served as the Chennai Police Commissioner.
M.A. Yasmin, Assistant Commissioner, Koyambedu Range, was transferred to the Chief Office Vacancy Reserve on administrative grounds with immediate effect.
Yasmin, who was then posted with the Anti-Vice Squad, initially handled the case and was involved in filing the closure report.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
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