Chennai, Sept 25:
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin said the ruling party should stop using the suffering of minor girls in the Gem Veeramani case as a tool for political purposes in the upcoming Assembly by-elections.
In a statement, Stalin said Veeramani, along with anyone who assisted him or attempted to protect him, should face the law irrespective of their position or influence. All those responsible should be brought before the law and given the maximum punishment, he said, adding that the outcome of the case should serve as a deterrent against such crimes.
Stalin rejected allegations that the previous DMK government had issued instructions to protect anyone in the case. He said the DMK government had taken action in cases involving crimes against women and children, including arrests, filing of charge sheets and efforts to secure convictions. He accused the ruling party of spreading what he described as false allegations against the DMK for narrow political purposes.
Stalin also alleged that, unlike the present government, the DMK regime had not ignored sexual allegations against elected representatives or party functionaries or attempted to settle such cases. He urged the ruling party to stop using the suffering of the minor girls for the by-election and said that ensuring justice for the victims should remain the common objective.