In the case of sexually assaulting minor girls, the Special Investigation Team registered another POCSO case against ‘Gem’ Veeramani on Monday.
‘Gem’ Granite company owner Veeramani and his assistant Shanthi, her husband Mahendra Simhan, and Gem Veeramani’s assistant Ganesan were arrested and jailed on charges of sexually assaulting minor girls.
Allegations have emerged that, in the background of the girls’ sexual assault case, there were links involving a blackmailing gang, police officers, and the intervention of prominent figures. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to gather complete information about this case and arrest the culprits.
Among them are four women police officers, including Chennai Central Crime Branch Additional Commissioner of Police Thenmozhi. In order to assist them, six more women DSPs were appointed. The interrogation of Veeramani in police custody had already been completed.
Based on that investigation, the police questioned his assistant Shanti and her husband Mahendra Simhan for three days in custody. In this, both of them gave statements about various details, including the ways in which Gem Veeramani was involved in sexual assault and how money was extorted from him. Summons have been sent to several others connected to this case, asking them to appear in person for questioning.
Another case
Meanwhile, another POCSO case has been registered against Gem Veeramani. This case has been filed against Gem Veeramani after 22 years in connection with the suicide of a 16-year-old girl.
In 2004, a 16-year-old girl from the Ice House area of Chennai died by suicide. In this incident, the parents of the 16-year-old girl concerned filed a complaint at the Ice House police station in 2004, stating that their daughter had been lured to Gem Veeramani’s house with promises of educational assistance and sexually assaulted, and that she hanged herself after returning home.
Documents burned in the riot
At that time, a case was registered and an investigation was conducted under the suspicious death category. However, when the Ice House police station was set on fire during the 2017 Jallikattu riot, the police said that the case documents were burned. As a result, the case remained pending.
Meanwhile, Gem Veeramani has been arrested in a case of sexually assaulting girls. Acting on the police’s appeal that those affected by him could file complaints, the mother of the girl concerned lodged a complaint in person with the Special Investigation Team on Monday.
In it, she had stated that action should be taken against Veeramani, who sexually harassed her daughter and was responsible for her death. Following this, another new POCSO case has been registered against Veeramani. An investigation is under way into complaints filed by around 15 girls and women against Gem Veeramani.
WhatsApp number for complaints
Those who have complaints, case-related information, photographs, videos, and other documents related to ‘Gem’ Veeramani can send them to the mobile number 93453 19676 and the WhatsApp number.
Details about informants will be kept confidential. In addition, the special investigation team has stated that all information received will be investigated and immediate action will be taken.
