Published Sep 30, 2026 | 2:39 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 30, 2026 | 2:39 PM
Appearing for the petitioner, his counsel argued that the investigation should be transferred to the CBI since police officials were allegedly involved in the case.
The Madras High Court has refused, at this stage, to transfer the POCSO case against Gem Granite proprietor R Veeramani to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A petitioner, Varahi, had approached the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case against Veeramani. The petition alleged that the police failed to identify the minor survivor due to the alleged interference of former Police Commissioner Arun and that there was a delay in the investigation.
The petitioner also alleged that although the names of Veeramani and Shanthi were mentioned in the complaint, the police failed to conduct a proper investigation. The petition further alleged that up to Rs 40 crore had changed hands to close the case.
Citing these allegations and the alleged involvement of senior police officials, the petitioner sought an independent CBI investigation into the POCSO case, its alleged closure and the alleged financial transactions.
The petition came up for hearing before Justice V Lakshminarayanan on Wednesday.
Appearing for the petitioner, his counsel argued that the investigation should be transferred to the CBI since police officials were allegedly involved in the case.
The judge questioned the need for a CBI probe when a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted only four days ago. The court asked whether there was a lack of confidence in the Tamil Nadu Police and questioned what the SIT could have achieved within such a short period. The judge also cautioned against seeking publicity in a case involving children.
Appearing for the police, Advocate General for Criminal Cases John Sathyan said that anyone possessing information or evidence related to the case could submit it to the SIT investigating officer.
He also informed the court that the SIT would issue a status report on the investigation on Thursday. He further said that IPS officer Geethanjali, who was part of the SIT, had stepped down due to personal reasons and that another officer had been appointed in her place.
The court directed petitioner Varahi to appear before the SIT at 3 pm on Thursday and submit any evidence in his possession relating to the case.
The court also directed the SIT to file a report on its investigation into the alleged sexual assault case involving Veeramani and adjourned the matter to October 7.
Also Read:
Gem Veeramani case: SIT registers fresh case based on complaint from minor victim’s mother
Gem Veeramani case: DMK–TVK blame game, questions over earlier probe and what survivors need now
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
