DMK seeks court order to question Tamil Nadu ministers in POCSO case

The DMK approached the high court on Tuesday seeking an order compelling the special investigation team (SIT) to summon Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Tourism Minister Aadhav Arjuna, and Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar for questioning in connection with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case registered against granite baron R Veeramani.

The move marks an escalation in political pressure surrounding the investigation, with the DMK arguing that the three senior government functionaries may have material information relevant to the probe. The party contends that the SIT's investigation remains incomplete without their testimony.

The POCSO case against Veeramani, a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu's mining sector, has drawn considerable public attention. The DMK's petition suggests potential linkages between the accused and the three officials named in their plea, though specific details regarding these connections have not been disclosed.

The Madras High Court's response to the petition will determine whether the SIT will be obliged to proceed with questioning the senior state officials. The development adds a political dimension to what has been characterized as a serious criminal investigation.