4 hrs ago
Congress Leader Challenges Chennai Police Abuse Case Timeline
Ranjan Kumar says he warned Chennai Police about the alleged abuse in 2022.
He says he gave police a complaint, screenshots and a video involving Veeramani and Shanti.
A copy of the complaint reportedly carries the date November 21, 2022.
Chennai Police say they received the important tip-off video only in October 2025.
This creates a disagreement about when police first received the evidence.
Investigators later said several girls may have been abused and that some were lured with gifts or small amounts of money.
Four people have been arrested, according to the reports.
Police are also examining whether evidence was hidden and whether money was paid to help cover up the alleged crimes.
Congress MP Ranjan Kumar says he submitted a complaint and video evidence naming Veeramani and Shanti on November 21, 2022.
Chennai Police maintain they received the key tip-off video on October 6, 2025, and filed an FIR the following day.
A senior police officer confirmed receiving Ranjan’s complaint and said it was forwarded for specialised investigation by the Anti Vice Squad.
Police say Veeramani, Shanti, her husband Mahendra Simhan and former employee Ganesan have been arrested in the case.
Investigators are examining alleged abuse of multiple minors, possible concealment of evidence and a suspected money trail of around Rs 90 crore.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Congress leader Ranjan Kumar, Veeramani, Shanti, Mahendra Simhan, former employee Ganesan and Chennai Police are central to the reports.
- What
- Ranjan Kumar says he alerted police and supplied video evidence about alleged sexual abuse of minors in 2022, challenging the police timeline.
- Where
- The complaint was taken to the Chennai Police Commissionerate, and the alleged abuse was linked to a house associated with Shanti.
- When
- Ranjan’s complaint was dated November 21, 2022; police say they received the tip-off video on October 6, 2025 and filed an FIR on October 7, 2025. The reports also describe arrests on August 29, 2026 and September 22, 2026.
- Why
- Ranjan says he approached police because the videos allegedly showed girls being abused, including girls from oppressed or impoverished communities; police are investigating the alleged crimes and a possible cover-up.
Ranjan Kumar’s Account
Police and Party Responses
When evidence reached police
Ranjan Kumar’s Account
Ranjan Kumar says he submitted a signed complaint naming Veeramani and Shanti in November 2022, showed screenshots and later gave a video to an Anti Vice Squad inspector.
Police and Party Responses
Chennai Police say the tip-off video was received only on October 6, 2025, and that an FIR was filed the next day. Police have not responded publicly to Ranjan’s specific account.
Handling of the earlier complaint
Ranjan Kumar’s Account
Ranjan’s account, along with a senior officer’s confirmation that the complaint was received and forwarded, raises questions about what happened after the 2022 submission.
Police and Party Responses
The DMK says an FIR was registered promptly after the relevant complaint and that police lacked concrete evidence to make an arrest at that stage. Police have summoned Anti Vice Squad officers while examining the case handling.
Political responsibility
Ranjan Kumar’s Account
The ruling TVK alleges that Veeramani was not arrested during the previous DMK government and that there was an attempt to close the case, which a POCSO court rejected.
Police and Party Responses
The DMK disputes that characterization, saying the FIR was registered the next day and that investigators deferred further action while waiting for stronger evidence.
Key facts
- Complaint date
- November 21, 2022
- Police-stated tip-off date
- October 6, 2025
- FIR date
- October 7, 2025
- Reported arrests
- Veeramani, Shanti, Mahendra Simhan and former employee Ganesan
- Alleged victims
- The reports say seven additional minor girls had been identified, with victims aged 12 to 16 at the time of the alleged crimes.
- Suspected money trail
- Police sources are tracking around Rs 90 crore allegedly linked to efforts to cover up the case.
- Case handling inquiry
- Two inspectors and an assistant commissioner from the Anti Vice Squad were summoned over the handling of the case.
Quotes
Senior police officer
Senior police officer who said he received and forwarded Ranjan Kumar’s complaint
“Ranjan did give me the complaint mentioning Veeramani's name. It required specialised investigation. Hence, I forwarded it to the Commissioner of Police, after which the Anti Vice Squad, I understand, pursued it. Anti Vice Squad wasn't under me”
NDTV
“I believe it's the video I gave which the police have put in a pen drive and staged.”
NDTV
Sources
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