A POCSO case involving 84-year-old granite businessman R Veeramani has expanded into one of Tamil Nadu’s major sexual abuse investigations, with several women who were allegedly abused as minors being identified. Questions have also emerged over how the initial police investigation was handled.
Veeramani, chairman of GEM Group of Companies, who has been referred to as “Tamil Nadu’s Epstein”, was arrested in late August. Investigators are now examining a rented house in Chennai that was allegedly used for the sexual abuse of minor girls.
One survivor, Shanthi, who later became an aide to Veeramani, alleged in a statement accessed by India Today TV that he began making sexual advances towards her when she was around 13. She said Veeramani was a close family friend who would visit her home claiming to help her family and gradually earned her confidence by portraying himself as a “godfather”.
“I have know Veeramani since my childhood as a close family friend. He used to visit my house on the pretext of helping us on business fronts,” Shanthi said.
She alleged that because she was only around 13 and too young to understand his intentions, she became a victim of his alleged sexual advances.
According to Shanthi, Veeramani began behaving like a godfather and allegedly took advantage of her trust for his own benefit while making promises about her future.
“I used to trust him 100 per cent and do everything that he had asked me to do for him, including arranging funds through my known sources for his financial needs,” she said.
Shanthi also alleged that she handed over money received from her father’s property to Veeramani because she trusted him.
“I had even given him the full money I got from my father's property by trusting him,” she said.
She further alleged that Veeramani and his son, Sidharth Veeramani, posed a potential threat to her life.
Shanthi has also been arrested along with Veeramani after investigators found that she had allegedly played a role in identifying survivors.
CASE CAME TO LIGHT IN OCTOBER 2025
The case first emerged in October 2025 after an NGO handed a pen drive containing a video of a minor girl being sexually assaulted to the police. An FIR was subsequently registered against Veeramani.
However, the initial investigation continued for nearly five months before police sought to close the case, citing insufficient evidence and their inability to identify the girl in the video. Investigators also pointed to gaps in the video evidence, the failure to recover the original footage and the absence of supporting evidence from neighbours.
The special POCSO court rejected the closure report and directed police to conduct a further investigation.
The court’s intervention became an important turning point in the case. The renewed probe identified the alleged location of the assault and, within weeks, traced the survivor shown in the video as well as other alleged victims.
MULTIPLE MINORS ALLEGEDLY TARGETED
The investigation has so far identified more than seven women who were minors when the alleged offences took place. According to the report, the alleged survivors came from economically weaker sections.
Investigators have alleged that Shanthi helped identify girls aged between 12 and 16 from different parts of Chennai. The girls were allegedly taken to a rented house in Teynampet, which has emerged as a key location in the probe.
The house was allegedly used by Veeramani and two others in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of minors. The girls were reportedly given money and gifts.
Veeramani, Shanthi and Mahendra Simon have been arrested in connection with the case.
QUESTIONS OVER INVESTIGATION LAPSES
A major issue in the case is the sharp difference between the initial investigation and the subsequent probe.
The first investigation lasted approximately five months and ended with police seeking to close the case. Following a change in government, the fresh investigation made several breakthroughs in around 40 days, including identifying the alleged crime scene, locating the survivor seen in the video and finding additional alleged victims.
The difference between the two probes has raised questions about possible investigative lapses and whether there was an attempt to delay or weaken the case.
The actions of the initial police team are also being examined. India Today reported that a committee is expected to investigate whether there were lapses or deliberate delays during the original probe.
IGP NS Renthiran Nayar has been tasked with examining the alleged financial trail, transactions and any possible involvement of police officials. Sources said transactions worth nearly Rs 70 crore could have taken place and are being scrutinised.
VEERAMANI’S INFLUENCE UNDER THE SCANNER
Veeramani is a well-known figure in India’s granite industry and has an extensive network of institutional connections.
He has served as the head of the Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry as well as the World Natural Stone Association. His associations also extend to academic institutions and business organisations, including initiatives linked to VIT University, Anna University and the Indo-Russian and Indo-American Chambers of Commerce.
His influence has come under focus amid questions about the handling of the original investigation and whether his connections had any bearing on the case.
POLITICAL ALLEGATIONS OVER INVESTIGATION
The case has also sparked a political confrontation in Tamil Nadu.
TVK has questioned how the case was handled under the previous government and alleged political influence. Tamil Nadu minister Raj Mohan questioned the CPI(M)’s position on the issue, while CPI(M) state secretary Shanmugam demanded a comprehensive investigation into everyone associated with the case, including police personnel and politicians.
DMK organisational secretary RS Bharathi, meanwhile, alleged that TVK minister Nirmal Kumar had received money from GEM Granite. These remain political allegations and have not been established as findings of the investigation.
Former DMK Law Minister Raghupathy told India Today that a case against Veeramani had been registered as early as 2013 but was subsequently closed for lack of evidence. He said new evidence had since emerged and demanded action against those responsible.
TVK spokesperson Felix Gerald defended the current government’s handling of the matter, saying Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had personally stepped in and instructed officials to ensure that nobody involved was spared.
CM ORDERS DETAILED INVESTIGATION
As the case attracted wider attention following the emergence of multiple allegations, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay took note of the matter and ordered a detailed probe. He directed the police to ensure that the investigation was conducted without lapses and that strict action was taken against anyone found to be involved.
The investigation is now examining not only Veeramani but also the alleged involvement of his associates, the identities of additional victims, financial transactions and the circumstances surrounding the earlier closure report.
Investigators will also examine whether anyone attempted to obstruct, delay or weaken the original investigation.
The ongoing probe is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged offences and determine whether additional people were involved either in the alleged abuse or in the handling of the case.
