Published Oct 01, 2026 | 4:53 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 01, 2026 | 4:53 PM
As GEM Granites expanded, Veeramani took on a series of positions in organisations representing exporters and the natural-stone industry.
Synopsis: Among those detained are five accused in the murder of Kannan, who was allegedly attacked and killed with a knife in public at Vannanthurai in Adyar’s Shastri Nagar on 5 September 2026. The accused have been identified as Satheesh Kumar (26), Manikandan (20), Hariharan (20), Paranitharan (20) and Rakesh (20).
Chennai Police Commissioner has ordered the detention of 14 persons under the Goondas Act for allegedly being involved in continuous criminal activities and disturbing public peace, including Gem Granites businessman Veeramani, who is accused in a POCSO case involving the sexual assault of minor girls.
Among those detained are five accused in the murder of Kannan, who was allegedly attacked and killed with a knife in public at Vannanthurai in Adyar’s Shastri Nagar on 5 September 2026. The accused have been identified as Satheesh Kumar (26), Manikandan (20), Hariharan (20), Paranitharan (20) and Rakesh (20).
Two persons, Gautham (22) and Rakesh (24), were detained in connection with a narcotics case registered at J-1 Saidapet Police Station.
Sarath (26) was detained in connection with the murder of Madhan in Vyasarpadi on September 13, while Bharath (23) was detained in a murder attempt case registered at B-1 North Beach Police Station.
Vijay alias Jacky (22) was detained in connection with a murder attempt case registered at P-6 Kodungaiyur Police Station, and Madhan (21) was detained in a narcotics case registered at H-1 Washermenpet Police Station.
In the POCSO case registered by the Central Crime Branch in connection with the alleged sexual assault of minor girls, Gem Granites businessman Veeramani and his associates Shanthi and Mahendran have also been detained under the Goondas Act.
Police said the action was taken as part of measures to control persons allegedly involved in repeated criminal activities in Chennai.
In October 2025, a child welfare volunteer approached an inspector of the Anti-Vice Squad and handed over a pen drive. The volunteer said an unidentified person had delivered the storage device to his office.
According to the information given to the police, the unidentified person said the pen drive contained a video showing industrialist Veeramani allegedly committing a sexual offence against a minor girl in the bedroom of the house of his associate, Shanthi.
The police examined the video and found footage of an adult man allegedly committing a sexual offence against a minor girl. The Anti-Vice Squad of the Central Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police, subsequently registered the case.
The initial investigation did not result in Veeramani’s arrest. In February 2026, the police submitted a report seeking to drop further action, citing “lack of evidence” and difficulties in establishing the identity and whereabouts of the minor girl involved.
The special POCSO court rejected the closure report in August and ordered a fresh investigation. The CCB subsequently arrested Veeramani, Shanthi and her husband, Mahendra Simhan, on 29 August.
The fresh investigation uncovered additional digital evidence and statements from other alleged survivors.
The police later arrested Ganesan, a former associate of Veeramani, alleging that he possessed a video involving a minor and had failed to inform the authorities.
The Tamil Nadu Preventive Detention Act, 1982, popularly known as the Goondas Act in Tamil Nadu, is a preventive detention law that empowers the State to detain people in prison, without a trial, for preventing “dangerous activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order.”
According to The Hindu report, a recommendation for detaining a person under the Goondas Act generally emanates from an Inspector of Police though the ultimate authority for passing the detention order vests with the Collectors and Commissioners of Police.
The law requires the detaining authorities to forward the detention orders, along with the grounds of detention and all relevant supporting documents, to the State government forthwith.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
