More survivors record statements in granite baron Veeramani POCSO case
Additional survivors have told police they were exploited by granite baron R. Veeramani, as investigators press to finish the POCSO chargesheet.
More survivors have come forward in the sexual abuse case involving granite baron R. Veeramani, telling investigators they too were exploited by him, police sources said.
Investigators have gathered evidence indicating that at least nine minor girls were sexually abused by the businessman, the sources said. Acting on credible information, the special team identified some of these girls, who recorded statements that they had been abused over the years, at a time when they were minors. The allegations will be thoroughly examined before any further action is taken, the sources added.
The case is being probed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. During the investigation, the special team came across a message sent to Veeramani that pointed to the exploitation of girls from families living below the poverty line, the sources said.
Veeramani, chairman of the Gem group of companies and Chairman and Managing Director of city-based Gem Granites, was arrested along with his associates Shanti and her husband, Mahendra Simhan, after the investigation revealed their involvement in the case registered in October 2025.
A police officer said Veeramani is clearly seen in a video abusing a minor girl, and that the statement of a co-accused and the victims revealed his paedophile nature. Asked how the police identified the child seen in the 2019 video and other victims, the officer said no information that could reveal their location or identity would be disclosed.
The victims have been assured of complete secrecy, the officer said, adding that the child seen in the video belongs to a Scheduled Caste community and steps have been taken to provide her financial assistance under an existing welfare scheme.
Investigators are also gathering more information about the message sent by Shanti, one of the accused, to Veeramani, asking whether he remembered the death of a girl in 2003, the sources said.
On Wednesday, the police informed the designated court for POCSO Act cases about the identity of the victim seen in the video and recorded her statement.
Commissioner of Police A. Amalraj reviewed the progress of the case with senior officers at the Commissionerate and directed the team to expedite the process of filing the chargesheet at the earliest, police sources said.