6 hrs ago
Police Reopen Veeramani POCSO Case After New Evidence Emerges
A child-rights worker gave police a pen drive containing a video of an alleged crime against a girl.
The video was said to show granite businessman R Veeramani with the girl in 2019.
Police first could not find the girl or recover the original recording.
They also could not find the person who delivered the pen drive.
Because of these problems, police initially stopped taking further action.
A court later ordered them to investigate again.
The girl was then found and identified herself and Veeramani in the video.
Police say they have found other possible victims and more digital evidence.
Several people have been arrested while investigators examine what happened and whether the earlier investigation was delayed or suppressed.
Police initially closed the case on February 18 after failing to identify the girl, recover the original video, or trace the person who delivered it.
Investigators searched Shanthi’s house, questioned Veeramani and others, and recorded claims that outsiders were not allowed inside.
The Special POCSO Court rejected the closure report and ordered further investigation.
The girl shown in the video was later traced and identified herself and Veeramani before a Judicial Magistrate.
Veeramani, Shanthi, Mahendra Simhan and former employee Ganesan have since faced arrests or investigation in the expanded case.
- Who
- Granite businessman R Veeramani, Shanthi, her husband Mahendra Simhan, former employee Ganesan, the girl shown in the video, and Chennai police investigators are central to the case.
- What
- A POCSO investigation into an alleged 2019 sexual assault expanded after the alleged victim was traced and new digital evidence and possible victims were identified.
- Where
- The alleged offence was linked to a house associated with Shanthi; the investigation is being conducted by the Central Crime Branch in Chennai.
- When
- The complaint was filed on October 6, 2025, the case was registered on October 7, the closure report was filed on February 18, and arrests began on August 29.
- Why
- The case was initially closed because investigators could not identify the girl or recover the original recording, but the court later ordered further investigation after refusing to accept the closure report.
Initial Police Findings
Renewed Investigation Findings
Whether the evidence supported continuing the case
Initial Police Findings
Police initially said there was no present basis to proceed because the girl could not be identified, the original DVR recording could not be recovered, and the messenger was not traced.
Renewed Investigation Findings
The court ordered further investigation, after which police traced the girl, recorded her identification of herself and Veeramani, and identified other alleged victims.
What happened inside the house
Initial Police Findings
Veeramani denied being the man in the video, while Shanthi said the room shown was not part of her house; workers and nearby people said outsiders were not allowed inside.
Renewed Investigation Findings
The renewed investigation continues to examine the alleged video, the property and digital evidence rather than treating those earlier statements as conclusive.
Possible failures in the earlier investigation
Initial Police Findings
The February report said investigators made confidential inquiries, searched available records and pursued every possible effort to identify the girl.
Renewed Investigation Findings
Police are now examining possible links between Veeramani and police officers, alleged financial transactions, and claims that the investigation may have been suppressed or delayed.
Key facts
- Initial complaint
- A child-rights worker received an envelope and pen drive from an unidentified man on October 6, 2025.
- Case registration
- Police registered a case under Sections 7 and 8 of the POCSO Act on October 7, 2025.
- Initial police conclusion
- The Anti-Vice Squad classified the case as “Further Action Dropped” on February 18.
- Court intervention
- The Special POCSO Court rejected the closure report and ordered further investigation.
- Alleged video date
- Investigators said the footage indicated that the alleged incident occurred in 2019.
- Later development
- The girl was traced and identified herself and Veeramani in a statement before a Judicial Magistrate.
- Expanded investigation
- Police have identified other alleged victims and are examining digital evidence, financial records and communications.
Sources
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