Shanti, co-accused in Tamil Nadu POCSO case, alleges abuse by businessman Veeramani

A debate on women's safety in the national capital focuses on the alarming rise of sexual assault cases in Delhi, including the gang rape of a seventeen-year-old girl in the back lane of Lady Shri Ram College. Congress MP and former Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury, former NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam, women's rights activist Yogita Bhayana, and LSR student union president Anusha Garg discuss systemic administrative and policing failures. Renuka Chowdhury questioned the inaction over persistent crimes, stating, 'the national capital has been the national capital of rape for many years now' and asking 'why are we still in this situation where girls are being raped, there are predators all around, we are being hunted, and we still keep talking about it?' Panelists called for strict accountability, urgent parliamentary intervention, and robust reforms to ensure public safety for women.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as police personnel inside the Astha Kunj Park in South Delhi's Kalkaji area. The incident took place when the minor visited the Kalkaji Mandir and subsequently went to the adjacent park with her friend on her birthday during visiting hours. The three accused, identified as Asif, Hemant, and Mukesh, separated and assaulted the victim's friend before taking turns to assault the minor. Following a PCR call, Delhi Police initiated action, arrested the three accused, and provided immediate medical support to the victim at AIIMS. The incident has raised critical questions regarding the maintenance, lighting, and security apparatus of public parks managed by the Delhi Development Authority, alongside the broader issue of women's safety in the national capital.

In this edition of the Business Today Show, anchor Sakshi Batra details major corporate, financial, and regulatory developments. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the importance of corporate governance and separating ownership from management in family-run businesses, urging companies to engage constructively with regulators rather than resorting immediately to litigation. In the aviation sector, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted how rising Aviation Turbine Fuel costs amid the West Asia conflict are pushing up festive season airfares, reiterating the government's push for greater airline competition. Telecom regulator TRAI introduced new rules mandating separate voice and SMS-only packages to benefit over 20 crore non-data users across India. Market expert Avinash Gurakshakar shared insights on equity market volatility, mid-cap strategies, IT stocks, and aviation market dynamics. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary Alok Kumar outlined progress on the 3,700 crore rupees India Chip semiconductor OSAT manufacturing facility.

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.