Gem Group Chairman R Veeramani booked under Goondas Act in fourth case
Greater Chennai Police have booked Gem Granites owner R. Veeramani on charges of abetting the suicide of a minor in 2004, according to police sources. Investigators also invoked provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the octogenarian businessman, his associate Shanti, and others. The case came to light when police accessed a message from Shanti to Veeramani referencing involvement in the death of a girl.
A special team formed to investigate the message identified the victim and found that her mother had lodged a complaint alleging her daughter was sexually abused by Veeramani and subsequently died by suicide. The family claimed that though they had filed a complaint with local police at the time, no action was taken. Police sources indicated that the accused allegedly gave ₹1 lakh to the family or their close relatives on two occasions, a claim authorities are verifying. Investigators are also probing financial transactions of the accused and suspected accomplices to determine if there is a proceeds of crime angle.
The Special Investigation Team, comprising senior women police officers, was expediting the investigation with charge sheets expected to be filed next month in the designated court. City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj reviewed the case progress with SIT officers. In related investigations, authorities found a bank balance exceeding ₹20 crore in an account belonging to a suspect and took steps to freeze it.
