Chennai: The POCSO investigation involving granite businessman R Veeramani has taken a fresh turn with police examining video evidence allegedly showing the sexual abuse of a minor girl. The development has also intensified a political dispute in Tamil Nadu over how the allegations were handled before the businessman was arrested.
Veeramani, who heads Gem Granites, was arrested on August 29 in connection with allegations of sexually abusing minor girls. His associates Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan were also arrested in the case. Former Gem Granites employee Ganesan was subsequently arrested on September 22 after police said he was found in possession of video footage allegedly showing Veeramani acting inappropriately with a minor and had not reported it to authorities.
The case has since expanded, with investigators identifying and recording statements from additional survivors who were allegedly minors when the incidents took place. Police have also said some of the survivors came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Video evidence becomes central to investigation
The case originally came to the attention of the Chennai police after a child-rights activist handed over a pen drive containing alleged abuse footage on October 6, 2025. The material reportedly led investigators to identify Veeramani and a location associated with the case.
Police initially sought to close the investigation, citing difficulties in identifying the girl and other evidentiary issues. However, the Special Court dealing with POCSO cases rejected the closure report and directed the authorities to continue the investigation. The renewed probe eventually resulted in the arrest of Veeramani and his two associates.
The girl seen in the footage has since been traced, and her statement has been recorded as part of the investigation, according to police sources cited by The Indian Express.
Police are also investigating how Ganesan obtained the footage, who sent it to him and why he allegedly failed to inform the authorities. His arrest has added another dimension to the inquiry into the handling and circulation of the digital evidence.
Questions over an earlier complaint
The timeline of when authorities were first alerted has become a major point of contention.
Tamil Nadu Congress leader M P Ranjan Kumar has now said that he approached senior Chennai police officials in November 2024 with information concerning allegations against Veeramani and his associate Shanthi. According to his account, he later provided video material to an Anti-Vice Squad official in December 2024.
The then Additional Commissioner of Police, South, N Kannan, told The News Minute that he did receive a complaint from Ranjan Kumar and said he had escalated the matter to the then Chennai Police Commissioner. However, the current police account has said the case came to their attention in October 2025 through the child-rights activist and the pen drive. The differing accounts are now part of the scrutiny surrounding the earlier handling of the allegations.
A police inquiry has also been ordered into whether there were lapses or attempts to interfere with the earlier investigation. Police are separately examining alleged financial transactions and other circumstances surrounding the case.
Political row intensifies
The developments have triggered a political confrontation in Tamil Nadu, with opposition and ruling-party figures trading allegations over the handling of the case.
BJP leader C T Ravi has questioned the DMK government’s handling of the matter, while the DMK has accused the BJP of attempting to politicise a sensitive case involving child protection.
The controversy has also focused attention on whether authorities acted promptly after information about the alleged offences was brought to their notice. Any responsibility for delays or investigative lapses remains a matter for the ongoing inquiry and relevant legal proceedings.
The latest investigation is examining both the allegations of sexual abuse and the circumstances surrounding the earlier police probe. With additional survivors coming forward and fresh digital evidence being examined, authorities are continuing to establish the full sequence of events.
The allegations against Veeramani and the other accused remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. The courts will ultimately determine criminal liability based on the evidence presented.