Published Nov 14, 2026 | 6:21 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2026 | 6:21 PM
The first case against R Veeramani was registered in October 2025.
Synopsis: One of the accused reportedly told investigators that a girl’s body was buried on Veeramani’s residential premises a few years ago. Police brought in excavators to dig up the area amid tight security. More than 30 personnel, including one Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), three Assistant Commissioners (ACs), police personnel, a tahsildar and other revenue officials, hospital staff and forensic experts, are involved in the operation.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of child sexual abuse against Gem Granites owner R Veeramani is searching for the remains of a victim, allegedly buried at his residential premises in Chennai.
Police brought in excavators to dig up the area at Veeramani’s Royapettah residential premises after his driver Bala reportedly said that a girl was buried in the house a few years ago. Bala is among those arrested in the case.
More than 30 personnel, including one Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), three Assistant Commissioners (ACs), police personnel, a tahsildar and other revenue officials, hospital staff and forensic experts, are involved in the operation.
The SIT has arraigned seven police officers, including Additional Director-General of Police A Arun and Inspector-General of Police A Radhika, for lapses in the investigation.
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The investigation is now examining why the initial investigation failed to identify the survivor and why a closure report was filed before the special POCSO court, which subsequently rejected it and ordered further investigation.
The case was registered on 27 September following a complaint by a 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.
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Police registered the first case against Veeramani in October 2025 after a child welfare volunteer approached an Anti-Vice Squad (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 survivors.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
