Chennai: Chennai High Court Judge V. Lakshmi Narayanan, refusing to accept the request to transfer the Gem Veeramani case to a CBI investigation, asked, “It has only been four days since a special investigation team was formed. Do not seek publicity in this case. Are the CBI police coming from Africa or what?”
He also ordered that the petitioner, Varahi, appear before the special investigation team at 3 p.m. on Thursday and submit the evidence in her possession.
Varahi has filed a petition in the Chennai High Court seeking to transfer the case against Gem Granite Veeramani to a CBI investigation. In that petition, it is stated that, “Due to the intervention of former Police Commissioner Arun, the police did not identify the affected minor girl. There has also been a delay in the investigation.
Although the complaint mentioned the names of Veeramani and Shanthi, the police did not investigate properly. It is also said that bribe money of up to Rs. 40 crore changed hands to bury the case.
Since this allegation, as well as the role of senior police officials, needs to be investigated thoroughly by an independent investigative agency, it was requested that a CBI inquiry be ordered into the POCSO case, the dragging and closing of the case, and the transfer of money.
This case came up for hearing today before Judge V. Lakshmi Narayanan. At that time, on behalf of the petitioner, it was requested that “since police officials are involved in this case, the investigation should be transferred to the CBI.”
The judge then said, “Do not seek publicity in a case involving children. It has only been four days since the special investigation team was formed. What can be done in that time? Do you have no faith in the Tamil Nadu police? Will the officials come only if there is a CBI investigation and they are in Africa?”
At that time, Chief Public Prosecutor John Sathyan, appearing on behalf of the police department, said, “Those who have information or evidence related to this case may provide it to the special investigation team’s investigating officer.” He also said, “The special investigation team will release a press note tomorrow regarding the status of this case.”
The IPS officer Geethanjali, who was part of the special investigation team, had left for personal reasons, and he said that another officer had been appointed in her place.
Following this, the judge ordered, ‘The petitioner Varahi must appear before the special investigation team tomorrow at 3 p.m. and submit the evidence related to the case in her possession.’
Further, the judge ordered the special investigation team to file the investigation report related to the Veeramani sexual assault case and adjourned the hearing to October 7.
