R Veeramani is a Chennai-based businessman, industrialist and founder-chairman of Gem Granites, a company involved in granite manufacturing and exports. An octogenarian, Veeramani has been associated with India’s natural stone industry for several decades and has held leadership positions in industry bodies including the World Natural Stone Association (WONASA), Southern Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
He has also served on government advisory bodies related to trade and mining. His philanthropic work included the establishment of the Anna Gem Science Park School in Chennai in collaboration with Anna University.
Tamil Nadu granite industrialist and Gem Granites founder R Veeramani faces an intensive probe under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following his arrest over allegations of minor sexual abuse.
GEM Granites founder and industrialist R. Veeramani is lodged in Chennai's Puzhal Central Prison following grave allegations of sexually abusing multiple minors over several years at a rented house. The 84-year-old businessman, who held prominent positions across granite trade bodies, government advisory boards, and educational institutions, reportedly utilised money power to suppress the crimes. Investigators are probing an alleged 70 crore rupees money trail and a suspicious land transaction linked to the case. Despite decades of wielded influence across political and corporate corridors in Tamil Nadu, the industrialist is now facing legal scrutiny.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO) founder-secretary A. J. Hariharan detailed how his NGO blew the lid on the child sexual abuse case involving industrialist R. Veeramani. Hariharan explained that on October 6, 2025, an anonymous person delivered an envelope containing a scribbled note and a red pen drive to their office. Upon reviewing the twenty-minute footage, Hariharan stated, "it was clearly an abuse scene," showing an elderly man abusing a girl who appeared to be around twelve years old. Rejecting suggestions of purposeful masking, he noted that the poor quality video captured the assault. Citing two decades of close coordination with the Anti-Vice Squad in rescuing minors from commercial sexual exploitation, Hariharan confirmed that ICWO formally lodged a complaint with Assistant Commissioner Yasmin. He reiterated the NGO's commitment to ensuring justice while acknowledging their limited role after handing over the crucial electronic evidence to authorities.
A special report and panel discussion examine key developments in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case involving Tamil Nadu granite industrialist R Veeramani, who faces allegations of sexually assaulting minors over several years.
An India Today investigation brings to light crucial developments in the POCSO case involving Gem Granite Chairman R. Veeramani in Tamil Nadu. The network accessed key videos and evidence showing multiple minor victims targeted in an alleged abuse nexus operating across decades. Following court intervention by a POCSO Special Court judge after police previously sought closure, four individuals—including Veeramani, his associates Mahendra Simhan, Shanti, and Ganesan—were arrested. Fresh revelations indicate that complaints were filed as early as 2024, raising questions over alleged police inaction and political shielding. Summons have now been issued to top police officials who handled the initial probe to ascertain whether intentional attempts were made to bury the matter. The Tamil Nadu administration has asserted zero tolerance, stating that high-profile individuals and officers aiding the accused will face strict legal scrutiny.
A political controversy has erupted following reports of 14 internal objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over decisions involving Form 6 voter registration, electoral database centralisation, software concerns in Goa, and voter restoration appeals in West Bengal. While the Election Commission stated that internal deliberations represent institutional checks and balances, the Opposition demanded the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the BJP defended the process as democratic functioning. In Delhi, students and alumni of Lady Shri Ram College protested to demand improved street lighting, CCTV surveillance, functional pink booths, and enhanced policing following an alleged gang rape at Aastha Kunj Park and an encounter near the campus. Additionally, Tamil Nadu witnessed a political confrontation between TVK and DMK over an alleged sexual assault case involving granite baron R Veeramani.
In Tamil Nadu, authorities continue the investigation into granite baron R Veeramani over minor sexual assault allegations, conducting premises raids, tracing financial transactions, and seizing electronic devices following recent arrests. Political parties debate administrative delays in earlier probes as widespread power outages lead Chief Minister Vijay to inspect the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board headquarters. In Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party stages demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over a finance department circular regarding unbudgeted schemes. In Kerala, Chief Minister VD Satheesan responds to opposition claims concerning ministerial overseas travel and chartered flights. Additionally, the bulletin details reported procedural differences within the Election Commission over voter roll processes, campus security protests at Delhi's Lady Shri Ram College, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump's UNGA speech on Iran, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu's Asian Games medal victory.
Raids are underway at the residence and properties of granite baron R. Veeramani following allegations of sexual abuse against minors spanning several years. Investigators are probing the crime and tracking a money trail to determine if influential links or payoffs led to an earlier closure report. Along with Veeramani, his associates Mahendra Simhan, Shanti, and former employee Ganeshan have been arrested after objectionable video clips were recovered. The case has also sparked a political confrontation between the DMK and TVK over alleged delays and police lapses in the initial investigation.
A political war of words has escalated between TVK and DMK over the investigation into the Gem Granites POCSO case involving R. Veeramani. TVK Minister Nirmal Kumar accused the previous DMK government of shielding the granite baron and questioned why he was not arrested earlier, asking how former Law Minister S. Raghupathy knew details regarding shadows in the video evidence. Refuting the allegations, Raghupathy asserted that the FIR was lodged within a day of the complaint, maintaining that no cases were withdrawn and that investigators were seeking further evidence. Meanwhile, the BJP criticised both parties for politicising the matter. Police have arrested Veeramani's aides, including Mahendrasimman for facilitating crimes and Ganesan for possessing abuse footage without alerting authorities, while accomplice Shanthi faces allegations of procuring minors.
This news broadcast covers key developments in the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani in Chennai.
Police have widened their investigation into sexual offence allegations against industrialist R Veeramani and two of his associates after identifying multiple victims. Investigators are examining whether the alleged abuse dates back to 2003 and whether vulnerable girls were specifically targeted. The Supreme Court has ordered a fresh investigation into the 2012 rape and murder of a college student in Karnataka’s Dharmasthala, widely known as the Soujanya case. A political showdown also erupted in the Karnataka Assembly over the rendition of the national song, *Vande Mataram*, after the state government stopped its official playback following the first two stanzas. All this and more from the South on *Super 6* today with Akshita Nandagopal.
This news broadcast covers key national and international developments, beginning with the widening POCSO investigation involving granite industrialist R. Veeramani in Chennai. Following the recovery of pen drive evidence regarding the alleged sexual assault of minors in Teynampet, the Special POCSO Court rejected a closure report and directed a reinvestigation, leading to the arrest of Veeramani, Shanthi, and Mahendra Simon. The development triggered political debates between TVK and DMK representatives alongside demands for a CBI probe into earlier police handling of the case. In Karnataka, tensions escalated in the Assembly over the rendition of Vande Mataram, leading to confrontations between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. Additionally, the Supreme Court ordered a fresh Special Investigation Team probe into the 2012 Dharmasthala Soujanya case. Internationally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed restrictions on burqas, niqabs, and classroom quotas for foreign students, while India's medal tally reached six at the Asian Games in Japan.
A probe into the POCSO case involving Tamil Nadu granite baron R. Veeramani has revealed details surrounding the alleged sexual assault of minor girls. Investigators traced a rented house in Chennai's Teynampet where minors were allegedly exploited. Three individuals—Veeramani, Shanti, and Mahendra Simon—have been arrested in connection with the crime. The case originated in October 2025 after police received pen drive footage showing an assault, but authorities initially attempted to close the matter. A special POCSO court rejected the closure report and ordered further investigation. Following recent developments, Chief Minister Vijay ordered a detailed probe, sparking a political dispute between state leaders regarding previous handling of the investigation.
The POCSO case against Tamil Nadu industrialist R. Veeramani has widened as police identify multiple victims, several of whom are from economically weaker sections. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The case emerged in October 2025 through a pen drive video showing a minor girl being sexually assaulted. After a special POCSO court rejected the police's initial closure report, a revived probe focused on a rented house in Chennai's Teynampet, managed by Veeramani's associate Shanti and her husband, both of whom have been arrested. Investigators are tracing multiple survivors and offenses dating back to 2003, having recovered documents and belongings of minor girls during searches.
