On September 25, 2026, during his campaign for the October 6 bypoll, CM Vijay slammed DMK chief MK Stalin for allegedly shielding granite baron R Veeramani from justice. He called Stalin “Stalin Sir” and demanded he speak out, accusing a collusion with AIADMK. He said the case had been buried under the previous DMK government.
Veeramani, a former chair of Gem Granites, was arrested in August 2026 with Shanti and her husband Mahendra Simhan after a child‑rights activist supplied video evidence of a minor girl’s assault. Police first flagged the case in October 2025, but the DMK administration closed it citing lack of evidence. The Special POCSO Court, however, refused the closure and ordered a new probe.
MK Stalin responded that Vijay’s allegations were baseless, noting that the POCSO complaint had been registered and that the investigation was ongoing. He also criticized Vijay for “speaking in obscene terms” about Tamil Nadu families, calling the CM’s rhetoric unfit for office. The clash reflects a deeper political feud between the two parties.
With the court’s directive, investigators will reopen the file and gather fresh testimonies. The next hearing is set for October 12, 2026, as the case moves toward a verdict that could reshape accountability for sexual abuse in the state. Meanwhile, activists in Chennai have called for transparency and a swift justice process.