Chennai, Oct 6:
Three drivers of Gem Granite proprietor Veeramani were arrested on Monday for allegedly aiding him by bringing minor girls to him in connection with cases of sexual abuse, police said.
The case was initially registered by the Anti-Vice Squad of the Chennai Police Commissionerate after a pen drive containing a video was received by the unit. The video allegedly showed Veeramani involved in a sexual offence with a minor girl in the bedroom of the houses of Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan.
Based on the video, the Central Crime Branch’s Anti-Vice Squad registered a case. Gem Granite proprietor Veeramani, along with Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, who allegedly aided him, were arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Ganesan was also arrested for allegedly possessing another video showing Veeramani in an obscene act with a minor and failing to inform the police about it. All four were subsequently lodged in prison.
Following the directions of the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police/Head of Police Force, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate the POCSO cases. The SIT has been conducting a detailed investigation.
Veeramani was already facing four cases. Another case was registered on October 2, 2026, taking the total number of cases under investigation to five.
During the investigation into the five cases, police identified three of Veeramani’s drivers — Lazar, Parthiban and Babu — as having allegedly aided his sexual offences by bringing minor girls to him. The three were arrested on October 5.
According to police, Lazar had been working for Veeramani for 23 years, while Babu had worked for him for eight years. Parthiban had also been employed by the Gem Granite proprietor.
Police said searches were conducted at the residences of the three drivers in connection with their alleged assistance in Veeramani’s offences. Eight mobile phones and 55 documents were seized during the searches.
Further investigation into the case is underway.