Published Oct 11, 2026 | 9:06 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 11, 2026 | 9:06 PM
The police said the SIT was constituted to conduct further investigation into the case against Gem Veeramani and other accused.
A sixth case has been registered against Gem Granite owner R. Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, according to Chennai police.
The case was registered on October 10, based on the complaint of two minor girls, who alleged that they were sexually assaulted by the businessman.
According to The Hindu, all six cases have been clubbed and are being investigated together. With the latest case, the police are now investigating allegations of sexual assault raised by 10 minor girls against Veeramani.
Meanwhile, police on Sunday, October 11, searched Veeramani’s residence, which has been identified as a crime scene in the case.
Veeramani was arrested on 29 August for allegedly sexually abusing minor girls.
Police said a pen drive the AVS received contained a video, purportedly of Veeramani sexually abusing a minor girl at the residence of Simhan and Shanti. Another aide, Ganesan, was arrested for possessing a video, allegedly of Veeramani engaged in the criminal act, and failing to alert the police. All four have been remanded to judicial custody.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted following the Tamil Nadu DGP’s directive, is now investigating the case.
Police registered the first case against Veeramani, now aged 84, in October 2025 after a child welfare volunteer approached an AVS inspector and handed over a pen drive. The volunteer said an unidentified person had delivered the storage device to his office.
The unidentified person reportedly stated that the pen drive contained a video showing Veeramani allegedly committing a sexual offence against a minor girl in the bedroom of the house of his associate, Shanthi. On examining the video, the police found footage of an adult man allegedly committing a sexual offence against a minor girl.
The AVS of the Central Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police, subsequently registered a case on 7 October 2025.
The initial investigation did not lead to Veeramani’s arrest. In February 2026, 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. Following this, the CCB arrested Veeramani, Shanthi, and her husband, Simhan.
The renewed investigation reportedly uncovered additional digital evidence and statements from other alleged survivors.
The CCB has also summoned Assistant Commissioner Yasmin and Inspectors Mahesh Kumar and Rajalakshmi, who handled the original investigation, to question them about how the complaint was handled and the recommendation to close the case.
Yasmin was subsequently transferred to the Chief Office Vacancy Reserve on “administrative grounds.”
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
