Chennai, Oct 12:
Chennai police have registered a fifth case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Gem Granites chairman R. Veeramani, 84, following a complaint alleging that he sexually abused a woman when she was a minor.
The latest case was registered on October 11, 2026, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its probe into allegations of sexual abuse. Police sources have indicated that investigators believe a prima facie case has been made out and are expected to question Veeramani in connection with the fresh complaint.
Investigators have reportedly approached the designated court seeking his custody for further questioning. The request is part of the continuing investigation into the allegations against the businessman.
The registration of the fifth case marks a further development in the investigation, which began with allegations involving material said to depict the sexual assault of a minor.
Veeramani was arrested in August along with his associates Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan in the first case. The matter came to light after a pen drive containing footage allegedly depicting the sexual assault of a minor was handed over to a child welfare volunteer.
The investigation subsequently faced a crucial turn when a special POCSO court rejected the police closure report and directed further investigation. The court’s intervention led to the revival of the probe and renewed scrutiny of the allegations and evidence.
The SIT has since been examining the complaints and related material as part of the wider investigation. The latest case is understood to concern an allegation by a woman who has claimed that the abuse occurred when she was underage.
The circumstances and details of the latest complaint will have to be established through the investigation and judicial proceedings.
Investigators are expected to question Veeramani about the fresh allegations and examine whether the material gathered in the latest case provides additional evidence relevant to the investigation.
Any custodial questioning will be subject to the court’s decision. The registration of a fresh case does not, by itself, establish the allegations as proven; investigators must establish the facts and present evidence in accordance with the law.