Chennai police rule out Epstein-style network in Veeramani sexual assault case

Greater Chennai Police have ruled out an Epstein-style trafficking network in the case against arrested businessman R Veeramani (85), chairman of GEM Group of Companies. Based on investigation so far, police found no evidence that minor girls were sent to Veeramani's friends or associates. A senior officer stated that evidence suggests only Veeramani was the predator in this matter.

Investigators revealed that one of Veeramani's associates, also an accused in the case, was herself sexually assaulted by him when she was a minor. This pushes the timeline of exploitation back to the mid-1980s. Police are probing multiple angles, including alleged financial transactions that may have suppressed the case previously and a land deal involving influential figures to prevent legal action.

Veeramani and his accomplices Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan (63) were arrested in August under Pocso Act sections and IT Act provisions. The case was initially registered 11 months earlier.