Gem Granites Founder Faces Multiple POCSO Charges After Court Rejects Police Closure Report

Investigation

Eighty-four-year-old Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani faces multiple child sexual abuse allegations in Tamil Nadu after several survivors came forward and recorded their statements. The survivors were aged 12 to 15 at the time of the incidents. Veeramani and two other suspects were arrested in late August for the sexual assault of a minor girl. Chennai police held video visuals of the crime as early as October 2025 following a complaint by a child rights activist.

Police Action And Fallout

Police faced severe criticism for failing to act promptly and for filing a report in court that recommended dropping further action against Veeramani, co-accused Shanthi, and Mahendra Simhan. Investigators allege Veeramani used Mahendra Simhan's bungalow to commit the crime. The court rejected the police closure report, which led to the ongoing investigation and the registration of more POCSO cases. The government removed two senior IPS officers, ADGP A. Arun and Coimbatore Police Commissioner N. Kannan, because they led the Chennai Police Commissionerate when the initial complaint arrived. A special investigation team formed of women officials is now probing the case.

Context

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, commonly known as the POCSO Act, is a strict Indian law designed to protect minors from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography. Cases under this law are handled with special legal procedures to ensure the safety and privacy of young survivors. High-profile investigations involving powerful figures often draw public scrutiny toward the speed and accountability of law enforcement agencies.