Full Breakdown
Tamil Nadu’s POCSO Probe into Gem Granites Founder R Veeramani
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On August 29, 2026 the Central Crime Branch arrested 84-year-old R Veeramani, founder of Gem Granites, and his associates Mahendra Simhan and Shanthi after a Special POCSO Court order on August 19, 2026 rejected a police closure report and ordered a fresh investigation under the POCSO Act.
Background & Context
Congress functionary R Kumar lodged a complaint on Nov 21, 2024 and presented a video to Additional Commissioner Dr Kannan on Nov 22, 2024. A separate pen-drive from a child-rights activist arrived in Oct 2025, prompting an FIR on Oct 7, 2025. Police filed a closure report in Feb 2026 citing difficulty identifying the victim; the court’s rejection revived the probe. The ruling TVK government and opposition DMK have traded accusations over the timing of action.
Timeline
- Nov 21 2024 – Complaint lodged.
- Nov 22 2024 – Video handed to Dr Kannan.
- Oct 7 2025 – FIR registered.
- Feb 2026 – Police file closure report.
- Aug 19 2026 – Court rejects closure report.
- Aug 29 2026 – Veeramani, Simhan, Shanthi arrested.
- Sep 22 2026 – Former employee Ganesan arrested.
- Sep 23 2026 – CCB searches five premises.
- Sep 24 2026 – Senior officers placed on compulsory wait; ACP M.A. Yasmin transferred; all-woman SIT constituted.
- Sep 25 2026 – Madras High Court restrains media discussion.
- Sep 30 2026 – High Court hearing adjourned (scheduled).
Data & Statistics
- Police have identified seven, later nine, alleged minor victims.
- Investigations focus on a INR70 crore property sale on Feb 3, 2026 and an alleged INR90 crore money trail linked to possible settlement attempts.
Official Statements & Responses
- DMK Rajya Sabha member Constantine Ravindran said the arrests came only after the court’s displeasure on Aug 25, 2026.
- TVK Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar alleged the previous DMK administration tried to “settle” the case and filed a closure report citing “insufficient evidence.”
- Former DMK chief M K Stalin denied any order to protect Veeramani.
- Justice V Lakshminarayanan ordered media to refrain from publishing identifying details and directed the SIT to issue weekly press releases.
- Education Minister A Rajmohan asked the DMK to explain any alleged case-drop order.
Criticism & Opposition
- DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan rejected claims the party shielded Veeramani, noting the party called for action after the arrests.
On-the-Ground Reports
- CCB seized one video and photographs of additional minors during searches at Veeramani’s offices on Dr Radhakrishnan Salai and a guest house in Teynampet.
- Former Chennai Police Commissioner A Arun and Additional Commissioner N Kannan were placed on “compulsory wait”; ACP M.A. Yasmin was transferred.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Timing of first video evidence: Kumar says police received a video in Nov 2024; police say the first material arrived in Oct 2025.
- Reason for closure report: TVK officials cite political pressure; police cite “insufficient evidence” and inability to identify the victim.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everyone is shocked at the case,” — Ishwinder Singh
What’s Next
The all-woman SIT will continue examining digital evidence, financial transactions, and alleged influence attempts. The Madras High Court has scheduled a further hearing for Sep 30, 2026, and the SIT must publish weekly updates on the investigation’s progress.