Chennai police detain POCSO case accused under Goondas Act

Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj has ordered the detention of businessman R. Veeramani and two associates under the Goondas Act, citing alleged repeated criminal activity and concerns about public order.

Veeramani, 84, founder of Gem Granites, was arrested on August 29 by the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit in a case involving alleged sexual assaults on minor girls. Shanthi, 60, and her husband, Mahendra Simhan, 63, were also arrested for allegedly abetting him. All three were remanded in judicial custody and lodged at Central Prison, Puzhal.

Police subsequently registered two additional cases against Veeramani alleging that he drove minor girls to end their lives. In a statement, the Commissioner’s office said four cases had so far been registered under various legal provisions, based on complaints from minor girls and their relatives. The cases remained under investigation, while police said further complaints continued to be received.

Police also said they were examining suspicious financial transactions allegedly linked to the businessman. A WhatsApp number, 9345319676, was created to receive information about affected minor girls. Five potentially useful submissions had been received and were being verified.

The Goondas Act detention orders were issued after the three accused had already been arrested and remanded in custody. Police described the action as part of efforts to curb the activities of habitual offenders. Separately, the Commissioner ordered the detention of 11 other people in cases involving alleged offences including murder, attempted murder, narcotics offences and sexual offences.

Police said all 14 detainees had been arrested in their respective cases before the orders were issued. The police statement said the offences were considered to pose a threat to public order.