Chennai, Sept 24: The POCSO case against Gem Granites businessman R Veeramani has widened after the Central Crime Branch (CCB) summoned three police officers who handled the earlier investigation, seeking to examine why the complaint was closed after being registered in October 2025. The move comes after a special POCSO court rejected the earlier closure and directed a fresh investigation into the allegations.
The officers summoned are Assistant Commissioner Yasmin, who served in the anti-vice unit, and inspectors Mahesh Kumar and Rajalakshmi. Investigators are expected to question them about how the complaint was assessed, what evidence was collected during the original inquiry and the basis on which the previous team submitted its closure report.
The renewed investigation follows a case in which police have arrested Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act over allegations of sexually abusing minors. Shanthi and her husband, Mahendra Simhan, have also been arrested on allegations that they facilitated the alleged abuse. Veeramani was lodged in Puzhal prison following his arrest.
The case was registered in October 2025 after material containing an alleged video of sexual abuse of a minor was brought to the attention of the police. The initial investigation subsequently resulted in a closure report, but the special POCSO court declined to accept it and ordered further investigation.
The CCB has since expanded its inquiry beyond the allegations against Veeramani and his associates to examine the handling of the original complaint. The questioning of the three officers is expected to establish the sequence of the earlier investigation and the reasons behind the decision to seek closure.
The probe has also led to the arrest of Ganesan, a former employee of Gem Granites. Investigators allegedly found an objectionable video involving Veeramani and a minor girl on Ganesan’s mobile phone. Police are examining how he obtained the footage and why it remained on his device without being reported to authorities.
Police have said the POCSO Act requires a person who has knowledge of a suspected sexual offence against a child to report it. Ganesan was arrested on the allegation that he failed to disclose information despite possessing material connected with the case. He was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan were also arrested as investigators examined their alleged links to Veeramani and their knowledge of the purported offences. All three — Ganesan, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan — were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody, according to police.
The CCB is also examining allegations that the abuse may have begun as early as 2003 and continued for about 23 years. These remain allegations under investigation; the duration and details of the alleged offences have not been established by a court. Police have not publicly specified how many alleged victims or incidents are covered by those claims.
The questioning of the three officers does not by itself establish misconduct. No finding against Yasmin, Mahesh Kumar or Rajalakshmi has been announced. Investigators are examining whether relevant evidence was overlooked, whether potential leads were pursued and what grounds supported the earlier recommendation to close the case.
The case has also become the subject of a political confrontation in Tamil Nadu. Ministers have alleged that the previous DMK administration attempted to suppress the matter and exerted influence over the police, claiming political intervention prevented the allegations from being investigated promptly and independently. The CCB has not commented on those political allegations and is focusing on the evidence gathered in the case.
Investigators continue to examine electronic devices and other material collected during the renewed probe to identify possible additional victims and determine whether other people were involved. Police have indicated that further arrests could follow if evidence emerges against additional individuals.
The CCB’s renewed investigation must now establish the facts surrounding the allegations against Veeramani while also determining how and why the earlier inquiry ended in a closure report. The accused face allegations at this stage, and the case remains under investigation and subject to court proceedings.
