Tirunelveli, Sept 25:
Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder John Pandian has denied allegations that he possessed video evidence relating to the POCSO case involving granite industrialist R. Veeramani.
Speaking to reporters in Tirunelveli on Thursday, Pandian said Congress functionary Ranjan Kumar had met him around two years ago and informed him that Shanthi wanted to meet him over a personal dispute.
Pandian said he subsequently met Shanthi at a hotel in Chennai, where she allegedly told him that Veeramani had deceived her and ruined her life and sought his help in obtaining Rs 20 crore.
He said he advised her to treat it as a personal matter and approach the police through legal channels. According to Pandian, neither Shanthi nor Ranjan Kumar contacted him again after that meeting.
Pandian categorically denied having any video evidence relating to the allegations against Veeramani. He said that had he possessed such evidence, he would have immediately made it public and sought appropriate action.
Pandian also alleged that defamatory material was being circulated against him on YouTube and other social media platforms. He said he had instructed his party functionaries in various districts to lodge complaints with the cybercrime police.
He maintained that whoever had committed a wrongdoing should face legal action and said he had nothing to hide in connection with the Veeramani case.