Chennai-based granite entrepreneur R Veeramani has been booked in a third case under the POCSO Act. A Special Investigation Team is examining alleged financial transfers totaling ₹26.63 crore linked to a 2004 investigation. A local court has extended his judicial custody until October 9.
A third case has been filed against 84-year-old Tamil Nadu granite businessman R Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This development follows an ongoing probe by a Special Investigation Team into allegations concerning a student's death in 2004.
Investigators are looking into historical claims brought forward by the family of the victim, who alleged that sexual exploitation occurred after financial assistance was provided for educational support. The current investigation aims to reconstruct events from two decades ago, despite reports that some local records from that period were destroyed during the 2017 Jallikattu protests.
Beyond the criminal charges, the probe has uncovered significant financial transactions that are now under scrutiny. According to police records, authorities have flagged a transfer of ₹24.63 crore from accounts associated with Veeramani to a co-accused, identified as Shanthi. Investigators also identified a separate transfer of ₹2 crore to Shanthi’s husband, Mahendra Simhan. Prosecutors allege these funds were directed toward suppressing evidence and concealing activities related to the alleged abuse of minors at a Chennai residence.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has launched a suo motu inquiry into the matter. The commission has noted that the victims were reported to be between 12 and 16 years of age at the time of the alleged incidents, and a fact-finding team has been tasked with conducting an independent assessment in Chennai.
Legal proceedings are currently underway in a local POCSO court, which has extended Veeramani’s judicial custody until October 9. The investigation remains active under the supervision of the Chennai Police Commissioner, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and engage with the public. The next major updates are expected to come from the ongoing court hearings and the findings of the independent inquiry team regarding the financial and criminal allegations.