Published Nov 12, 2026 | 11:38 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2026 | 11:38 PM
Veeramani is accused of sexually assaulting the girl. His drivers allegedly knew about the offence but transported her in a vehicle.
Synopsis: The SIT of the Tamil Nadu Police probing POCSO cases against Gem Granites founder R Veeramani has filed a 720-page chargesheet against him and two of his drivers in a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old Scheduled Caste girl. The chargesheet, filed before a special court in Chennai, cites 40 witnesses, the police said on Thursday. The SIT was constituted on 24 September. Subsequently, it registered seven fresh cases against Veeramani involving nine survivors.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Tamil Nadu Police to investigate the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases against Gem Granites founder R Veeramani has filed a chargesheet against him and two of his drivers in a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old Scheduled Caste girl.
The 720-page final report, filed before the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under the POCSO Act in Chennai on Wednesday, 11 November, cites 40 witnesses.
The SIT was constituted on 24 September. Subsequently, it registered seven fresh cases involving nine survivors, based on complaints from survivors and their mothers.
In a statement on Thursday, the police said the case was registered on 27 September following a complaint by the survivor’s mother. Veeramani has been named as the first accused (A1), and his drivers, Parthiban and Babu, as the second (A2) and third accused (A3).
Veeramani is accused of sexually assaulting the girl. His drivers allegedly knew about the offence but transported her in a vehicle and dropped her at Veeramani’s residence, where the assault took place.
The three have been charged under Sections 366 and 506(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); Sections 5(l), 5(m) and 5(i), read with Sections 6 and 17 of the POCSO Act; and Sections 3(1)(w)(i) and 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Unconfirmed reports say that former Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun, former Additional Commissioner N Kannan, Assistant Commissioner MA Yasmin, a person identified as Radhika and an unnamed inspector have also been named in the chargesheet. South First has not independently verified these reports.
The first case against Veeramani was registered 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 person who delivered the pen drive reportedly said it contained a video showing Veeramani allegedly committing a sexual offence against a minor girl in the bedroom of his associate Shanthi’s house. On examining the footage, the police found a video of an adult man allegedly committing a sexual offence against a minor girl.
The AVS of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Greater Chennai Police, registered a case on 7 October 2025.
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 court dealing with cases under the POCSO Act rejected the closure report in August and ordered a fresh investigation. Following the order, the CCB arrested Veeramani, Shanthi and her husband, Simhan.
The renewed investigation uncovered additional digital evidence and statements from other alleged survivors.
The CCB 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 why the police recommended closing the case.
Yasmin was subsequently transferred to the Chief Office Vacancy Reserve on “administrative grounds.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
