Chennai police register second POCSO case against Veeramani

Chennai police have registered a fresh case under India’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against businessman R. Veeramani, police sources told The Hindu. The case followed a complaint by a woman who alleged that her minor daughter had been sexually abused by Veeramani.

Police were expected to arrest him in connection with the new case, although he is already held in Puzhal prison over a separate POCSO case. The Central Crime Branch is also investigating statements from four other women who alleged that they had been sexually abused by the businessman in the past, according to the report. Investigators are separately examining a complaint by another woman who said her daughter had been abused by Veeramani and later died by suicide.

The alleged incident occurred many years ago. The complaint stated that a report had previously been made to local police but no action was taken. The fresh case adds to the legal proceedings involving Veeramani, known as “Gem Granite”.

The Hindu reported that the Madras High Court had directed the media not to discuss the factual matrix of the earlier case. The report also said an all-woman special investigation team would take over the probe into the earlier POCSO case. The police investigation is continuing, with the Central Crime Branch reviewing the additional allegations.

The reported complaints concern serious allegations, which remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings. The source material did not provide details of any response from Veeramani or his representatives to the new allegations.