Decent moral policing? Outrage over Bihar minister's remark in Jamui assault case

A panel discussion examines the controversial handling of the GM Veeramani POCSO case by the Chennai Police. Former IPS officer Sanjay Sahay raises sharp questions over the initial closure of the investigation, noting, 'police was in a hurry to close the case' despite the presence of digital evidence and CCTV footage. He argues that digital and forensic evidence forms the core of modern criminal investigation and asserts that investigative omissions should be penalised. Activist Vaishnavi Prasad and BJP leader Kasturi Shankar highlight institutional negligence and systemic cover-ups that delayed justice for minor victims over years. Political analyst Shalin Maria alleges political shielding and deliberate police inaction before a special POCSO court overturned the closure report to order a reinvestigation. The panel demands complete accountability from law enforcement authorities.

The investigation into the POCSO case against Gem Granites founder Veeramani has intensified following the arrest of a fourth suspect, Ganesan, a longtime aide accused of withholding video evidence of sexual assault from the police. Co-accused Shanti, who allegedly managed the house where minor girls were sexually abused and procured victims from economically weaker backgrounds, has released a video projecting herself as a victim and claiming Veeramani made advances toward her when she was a minor. Investigators led by the police are tracking an alleged 70 crore rupees financial trail to determine whether funds were used to influence earlier investigations or attempt a cover-up. The case has sparked political contention between the TVK and DMK, with former law minister Raghupathy stating the earlier case lacked sufficient evidence to proceed at the time. Further inquiries are underway into digital evidence and possible institutional links.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched the expansion of the breakfast scheme at a government school in Thiruvanmiyur, interacting with students and serving them food. Renamed as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar breakfast scheme, the initiative expands the earlier programme introduced in 2022 by former Chief Minister MK Stalin. While the original scheme catered to students of classes one to five, the expanded project now covers middle school students from classes six to eight across state government schools. An allocation of over Rs 200 crore has been made for the expanded project.

The Crime Branch is investigating the death of an IIT Bombay student named Sahil, scanning CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus grounds, and hostel area to reconstruct the sequence of events. The footage reportedly captures Sahil inside the examination hall, an alleged instance of chatting, claims regarding the use of ChatGPT, and him being escorted out with a professor before walking back towards his hostel. Meanwhile, Sahil's parents have spoken out, alleging persistent caste-based harassment and demanding the immediate arrest of the faculty members named in their First Information Report under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. Highlighting his All India Rank 614 in the entrance examination, the family disputed cheating claims and called for a comprehensive inquiry into the treatment of students from Scheduled Caste backgrounds.