Chennai, Oct 19:
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing multiple cases against granite businessman R Veeramani has arrested Sakthivel, a manager at Gem Granites, over allegations that he helped the accused evade legal action.
According to an official statement, investigators are examining financial transactions allegedly routed through Sakthivel to assist Veeramani. The arrest follows searches conducted by police teams on October 11 at Veeramani’s residence on Lloyds Road in Chennai, his farmhouse at Kanathur and his office. Investigators seized documents and digital evidence during the searches as part of the continuing probe.
The SIT has registered seven cases against Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Three drivers linked to the businessman — Lasar, Parthiban and Babu — were arrested earlier. Lasar had worked with Veeramani for 23 years, while the other two had been employed by him for eight years, according to the report.
Veeramani and two associates, Mahendra Simhan, 63, and Shanthi, 60, were also ordered to be detained under the Goondas Act by Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj. The businessman and his associates have been in prison since August 29.
The investigation was revived after a special court rejected a closure report filed by the city police in February 2026 in connection with a video allegedly showing the sexual abuse of a minor. The original case was registered in October 2025 after a pen drive containing the video was sent to the city’s Immoral Traffic Prevention Unit. The closure report had stated that the video was unclear, but the court’s rejection led to further investigation and the identification of Veeramani as the man seen in the footage, police said.
The SIT has also appealed to survivors to share information through its WhatsApp helpline, 9345319676. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.