KVeeramani POCSO case: DMK leader seeks summons for CM and Ministers
TR Baalu urges SIT to summon Tamil Nadu CM Vijay and Ministers over allegations in the Gem Veeramani POCSO case.
In a major political escalation surrounding the Gem Veeramani POCSO case, DMK Treasurer and Lok Sabha group leader TR Baalu has moved the Special Investigation Team (SIT) with a formal complaint. Baalu is demanding that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and Ministers Aadhav Arjuna and C.T.R. Nirmalkumar be summoned for interrogation regarding recent public statements they made against the DMK.
The Core of the Allegations
The petition filed by Baalu highlights a series of accusations made by high-ranking officials over a three-day period. According to the DMK leader, the timeline of events is as follows:
- September 25: Chief Minister Vijay publicly alleged that the DMK had provided protection to Gem Veeramani.
- September 25: Minister Aadhav Arjuna claimed the party not only protected the accused but also ensured the case against him was wrongfully closed.
- September 26: Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmalkumar alleged that the DMK had received ₹500 crore from Gem Veeramani to facilitate his protection.
Three Perspectives on the Claims
TR Baalu has presented the SIT with three possible interpretations of these high-profile public statements, suggesting that the investigation must address each possibility:
- Defamation: The allegations are entirely false and were intended solely to defame the DMK and its leadership.
- Withheld Information: The individuals possess critical information regarding the crime but have failed to hand it over to the investigating officer as required under the POCSO Act.
- Leaked Investigation Data: The individuals may have obtained confidential details from the investigating officer's 'case diary' through unofficial channels and are spreading them publicly.
Demanding Accountability and Evidence
Baalu argued that since the statements made by the Chief Minister and two ministers are directly linked to the ongoing SIT investigation, it is vital to verify their basis. He posed several critical questions that he believes the SIT must answer:
"Do they have evidence? If so, why have they not handed it over to the investigating officers so far? Have confidential documents related to the investigation been obtained by them without permission? Has the information contained therein been made public?"
The DMK leader emphasized that in a case involving minors, it is crucial to collect evidence immediately to prevent any destruction or concealment, thereby maintaining public trust in the legal process.
Potential Legal Consequences
The petition further suggests that if these allegations are found to be deliberately false, if legal disclosures were withheld, or if investigation secrets were leaked without authorization, strict action should be taken. Baalu noted that those involved should be prosecuted under the POCSO Act and the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Concluding his stance, Baalu reiterated that while the DMK stands firm that no criminal should escape justice, those making baseless accusations must also face investigation, regardless of their political stature or position.