TN: EPS Terms Vijay's Claim On Veeramani Arrest A 'Blatant Lie'

TN: EPS Terms Vijay's Claim On Veeramani Arrest A 'Blatant Lie'

MENAFN- IANS) Madurantakam, Sep 26 (IANS) AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of misleading the public over the arrest of granite businessman“Gem” Veeramani in a case involving alleged sexual abuse of minors.

Campaigning for a second day ahead of the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly bypolls, Palaniswami told a gathering at L. Endathur that Vijay's claim to have secured the arrest was“a blatant lie.”

He said the case had been registered during the previous DMK government and alleged that prosecutors later sought more time during court hearings.

According to Palaniswami, the prosecution again requested an extension when asked to submit its final report on August 3. He claimed the arrest followed the court's intervention, rather than action initiated by the TVK government. His account of the proceedings could not be independently verified.

Palaniswami also alleged that two ministers attended an event associated with Veeramani and claimed the Food Minister described him as a family friend.

He accused the government of protecting the accused while portrayin...