‘Gem Granites’ Veeramani, his two accomplices in POCSO Act case detained under Goondas Act

R. Veeramani. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj has ordered the detention of POCSO Act case accused and Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani (84) and his associates, Shanthi (60) and her husband Mahendra Simhan (63), under the Goondas Act for allegedly engaging in repeated criminal activities and disturbing public order.Veeramani was arrested by the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit (ITPU) on August 29, 2026 on charges of sexually assaulting minor girls. Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan were also arrested for abetting him. They were remanded in judicial custody and lodged at Central Prison, Puzhal. Subsequently, the police registered two more cases against Veeramani for driving minor girls to end their lives.A press release from the office of Commissioner said the action was taken as part of the police’s efforts to curb the activities of habitual offenders.Four cases booked so far, financial transactions being probedMeanwhile, the police released an update on further action in cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls by Veeramani and said that investigation is under way into suspicious financial transactions made by the businessman.The police said that so far, four cases have been registered under various provisions of the law based on complaints, including those lodged by the minor girls and their relatives. The cases are under investigation, the police said, adding that they continued to receive complaints against Veeramani and the other accused.A WhatsApp number, 9345319676, has been introduced for sharing information about the affected minor girls. So far, five useful pieces of information have been received through the number and are being verified and investigated, the police said.11 detained under Goondas ActSeparately, the Commissioner invoked provisions of the Goondas Act and detained 11 others, including Sathish Kumar (26), Manikandan (20), Hariharan (20), Paranitharan (20), and Rakesh (20), who were arrested in connection with the murder of a person named Kannan in Vannanthurai in Shastri Nagar on September 5.The police said all 14 accused had been arrested in their respective cases and remanded in judicial custody before the detention orders were issued.The detention orders were issued by the Commissioner against persons who were allegedly involved in offences including murder, attempt to murder, narcotics offences, and sexual offences, which the police said posed a threat to public order.(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-2464 0050) Published - October 01, 2026 05:07 pm IST