Veeramani Pocso case: No need for DMK to protect accused or dilute probe, says ex-minister S Regupathy

CHENNAI: Former law minister and DMK MLA S Regupathy on Tuesday (September 22) defended his party over the handling of the R Veeramani Pocso case during the previous regime, asserting that the Stalin-led government had neither withdrawn the case nor protected anyone, while accusing the TVK government of politicising the investigation.

Addressing media persons at Anna Arivalayam, Regupathy said the case had not been deliberately kept pending and that investigators initially lacked sufficient evidence to establish the identities of the people in the video.

Regupathy said the DMK would support action against anyone found guilty. "Whoever is involved in the case, and whoever supported them, must be brought before the law and punished. No accused should escape," he said.

Rejecting allegations that the party had favoured Veeramani, he said, "We have no need to take money from Veeramani to prevent his arrest." He maintained that the video available at the initial stage did not clearly establish the identity of the persons involved.

Regupathy also attacked the four-month-old TVK government over law and order, governance, and alleged sexual offences, accusing Chief Minister Vijay of focusing on "reels" rather than administration. He said the forthcoming Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls would provide voters an opportunity to respond to the government's record.

DMK legal wing secretary NR Elango has similarly said the investigation was not closed but kept pending for further evidence, while the TVK government has alleged that the previous regime failed to act despite the case being registered in 2025.