2 hrs ago
Two Accused Seek Bail in Veeramani POCSO Case
Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan are accused in a case connected to R Veeramani.
They asked a special court to release them on bail.
Their lawyers said the case was registered long after the alleged incident.
They also said the police had already collected important evidence.
The two accused promised to follow any rules set by the court.
Prosecutors opposed their request.
They said the arrests and court procedures were properly followed.
The judge asked police to respond and postponed the hearing until September 29.
Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan sought bail from the POCSO Special Court in the case involving R Veeramani.
The court directed police to file a counter affidavit and adjourned the hearing to September 29.
The petitioners questioned the proceedings, citing a delay between the alleged 2019 incident and the October 2025 FIR.
They argued that the investigation had progressed, evidence had been collected, and they would not tamper with witnesses.
Prosecutors said arrest procedures were followed and that the survivors’ identities were being protected.
- Who
- Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, associates of R Veeramani, sought bail; the prosecution opposed it.
- What
- The two accused filed bail petitions in a POCSO case involving alleged sexual abuse of minor girls.
- Where
- Before the POCSO Special Court in Chennai.
- When
- The bail matter was heard on September 24 and adjourned to September 29; the petition cited an alleged 2019 incident and an October 2025 FIR.
- Why
- The petitioners sought release, arguing that the investigation had substantially progressed and that the delayed FIR affected the proceedings.
Bail Applicants
Prosecution
Validity and timing of proceedings
Bail Applicants
The petitioners questioned the proceedings, pointing to the significant delay between the alleged incident in 2019 and registration of the FIR in October 2025.
Prosecution
The prosecution opposed bail and said all required procedures had been strictly followed during the arrests and court production.
Risk of interference
Bail Applicants
The accused argued that the investigation had substantially progressed, evidence had been collected, and there was no possibility of witness tampering.
Prosecution
The prosecution sought to resist the bail request while the court considers its detailed response.
Custody and investigation
Bail Applicants
The petitioners said they had remained in judicial custody for nearly four weeks without police seeking custody for interrogation.
Prosecution
Police maintained that the accused were arrested lawfully and produced before the magistrate without delay.
Key facts
- Accused seeking bail
- Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan
- Related accused
- R Veeramani, founder of Gem Granites
- Court
- POCSO Special Court
- Next hearing
- September 29
- Timeline cited
- The alleged incident occurred in 2019, while the complaint was registered in October 2025.
- Petitioners’ argument
- They said evidence had been collected and they had spent nearly four weeks in judicial custody without police custody being sought.
- Prosecution position
- Police said arrest procedures were followed and the survivors’ identities were being kept confidential.
Sources
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