“Stalin sir, open your mouth”: Vijay attacks DMK chief over Veeramani case, alleges collusion

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay has launched a sharp attack on DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the sexual abuse case involving GEM Granites chairman R. Veeramani and minor girls. Vijay alleged that the DMK and AIADMK were colluding even in this grave matter. He was speaking at a campaign meeting in Madurantakam ahead of the October 6 bypoll.

Veeramani, Shanthi and her husband Mahendra Simhan were arrested in connection with allegations of sexual offences against minor girls. The case was registered in October 2025 after a pen drive containing purported footage of a minor girl being sexually assaulted was submitted to police.

“Stalin sir, open your mouth. What was the deal? Tamil Nadu is asking. The AIADMK, which has joined hands with you, is also not opening its mouth. If there was any understanding or collusion over this issue, will you not respond?” Vijay asked. Vijay said he had tolerated remarks made against his own mother but could not accept what he described as obscene remarks about the sisters and mothers of Tamil Nadu. He alleged that the DMK and the “DMK family” had made such remarks and claimed that Stalin and his family enjoyed them. He said this could never be tolerated.

Vijay also alleged that the previous DMK government had failed to pursue the case adequately despite the FIR being registered during its tenure. Police had initially sought to close the case, but a Special POCSO Court rejected the closure report and ordered further investigation. The renewed probe subsequently led to the arrests of Veeramani and the two other accused.

The DMK has rejected allegations that its previous government attempted to protect Veeramani. Stalin said no order had been issued to protect anyone in the case and called the allegations false and defamatory.