5 hrs ago
Granite Baron Booked Under POCSO in 2004 Suicide Case
Police have reopened a case involving the death of a minor girl in 2004.
The girl’s mother says her daughter was sexually abused before she died by suicide.
She also says an earlier police complaint did not lead to action.
Investigators formed a special team after finding a text message about the old case.
The team identified the girl and recorded her mother’s new complaint.
Police have also accused R Veeramani of involvement in allegations concerning other minor girls.
Two other people, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, are awaiting a court decision on bail.
Police say money transfers and electronic devices may provide evidence.
The investigation is continuing, and police are expected to submit a charge sheet.
Police booked granite businessman R Veeramani for allegedly abetting a minor girl’s 2004 suicide and under the POCSO Act.
The girl’s mother alleged that Veeramani sexually abused her daughter before her death and that police failed to act on an earlier complaint.
A Special Investigation Team identified the victim after examining a text message referring to Veeramani’s alleged involvement.
Police allege that Shanthi and her husband Mahendra Simhan helped facilitate abuse and destroy evidence; their bail orders are pending.
Investigators are examining electronic devices, tracing financial transfers and preparing a charge sheet while citing concerns about witness tampering.
- Who
- R Veeramani, along with co-accused Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, is being investigated; the complaint was filed by the deceased girl’s mother.
- What
- Police registered a case alleging sexual abuse of minors and abetment of the 2004 suicide of a minor girl under the POCSO Act.
- Where
- The investigation and POCSO court proceedings are taking place in Chennai.
- When
- The girl died by suicide in 2004; the fresh investigation and complaint followed a text message examined by investigators, with developments reported on Wednesday.
- Why
- The case resurfaced after investigators examined a text message and the victim’s mother alleged that earlier police had taken no action.
Police and Prosecution
Defense
Need for continued custody
Police and Prosecution
Police argued that bail could enable witness tampering and destruction of evidence while electronic devices are examined.
Defense
Defense counsel argued that the couple’s arrests were improper and that further custody was unnecessary.
Alleged involvement
Police and Prosecution
Police allege that Veeramani kept minors at Shanthi’s residence for abuse and that Shanthi attempted to destroy evidence.
Defense
The defense position, as reported, disputes the legality and necessity of the arrests; the allegations have not been adjudicated.
Key facts
- Main accused
- R Veeramani, described as the founder of Gem Granites
- Victim
- A minor girl who died by suicide in 2004
- Law invoked
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)
- Co-accused
- Shanthi, 60, and Mahendra Simhan, 63
- Financial transfers
- Rs 24.63 crore allegedly transferred from Veeramani’s account to Shanthi, with Rs 2 crore moved to Simhan
- Bail proceedings
- A Chennai POCSO court reserved orders on Shanthi and Simhan’s bail petitions
- Investigation status
- Electronic devices are being examined, suspect accounts containing over Rs 20 crore are being targeted for freezing, and a charge sheet is expected
Sources
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