The Madras High Court on September 30 postponed for four weeks a petition by DMK treasurer T R Baalu concerning the investigation into the child sexual-abuse case against businessman R Veeramani. DT Next reported that Justice V Lakshminarayanan said the special investigation team should be allowed to continue its work without interference.
Baalu had asked for investigators to question Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and ministers Aadhav Arjuna and C T R Nirmal Kumar over public claims that the DMK had shielded Veeramani. UNI’s account of the September 29 filing reported that the DMK denied those allegations. The claims about a cover-up remain disputed allegations, rather than findings established by this hearing.
Bar & Bench reported that the petition sought action on Baalu’s September 27 representation. The DMK wanted any documents, electronic material or communications underlying the leaders’ public statements secured and examined. It also sought an inquiry into the source of the information.
Senior advocate J Ravindran, representing Baalu, argued that evidence of any concealment should be given to the investigators and pressed for urgency because the allegations concerned child abuse. The Times of India reported that the judge noted how recently the representation had been submitted and declined immediate intervention. The request was adjourned, rather than granted or finally dismissed.
Bar & Bench reported no order requiring the three leaders to appear before investigators. The adjournment leaves the petition pending and does not settle the competing claims about a cover-up.