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Madras High Court Keeps Granite Baron Case With SIT
The case concerns allegations that a child was sexually assaulted.
Police registered a case under the POCSO Act after a video appeared in October 2025.
A court later ordered more investigation after rejecting an earlier closure report.
R Veeramani and several others were arrested in connection with the investigation.
Petitioners asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over, saying the earlier probe was delayed and may have been mishandled.
The Madras High Court said the new Special Investigation Team had only worked for a few days.
So, it decided to let the team continue for now.
The team must submit an initial report on October 1, and the case returns to court on October 7.
Politicians disagree about whether the case is being investigated fairly or used for political purposes.
The Madras High Court declined to transfer the alleged POCSO case involving R Veeramani to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Justice V Lakshminarayanan said the Special Investigation Team had begun work only on September 25 and needed more time.
Petitioners alleged delays, corruption and possible efforts to suppress the case, while the court warned against politicisation.
The case followed a video that allegedly showed a minor being sexually assaulted and a police complaint registered under the POCSO Act on October 7, 2025.
The four-member all-women SIT must submit its first report on October 1, with the next hearing scheduled for October 7.
- Who
- R Veeramani and other accused persons are being investigated; petitioners include journalist Varahi and the National People's Sakthi Party.
- What
- The Madras High Court refused to transfer the alleged POCSO investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
- Where
- The case is being considered by the Madras High Court, and the earlier complaint was made to Chennai Police.
- When
- The SIT began investigating on September 25; its first report is due October 1 and the next hearing is October 7.
- Why
- The court said it was premature to change agencies because the newly formed SIT had not had enough time to investigate.
CBI Petitioners and Critics
SIT and Government Position
Which agency should investigate?
CBI Petitioners and Critics
The petitioners sought a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, arguing that the earlier investigation was delayed and that the handling police officers should also be examined.
SIT and Government Position
The High Court said the recently formed SIT should be given time and that it was too early to conclude that no progress had been made.
Was the earlier case suppressed?
CBI Petitioners and Critics
Petitioners alleged corruption and possible pay-offs, while TVK leaders alleged that the case was suppressed during the previous DMK government.
SIT and Government Position
MK Stalin denied that his government protected Veeramani, and the High Court said investigators could not be expected to establish every aspect of a complex case within four days.
Political role in the case
CBI Petitioners and Critics
The DMK accused the TVK government of using the case for political purposes, particularly ahead of bypolls.
SIT and Government Position
The TVK demanded explanations from MK Stalin and questioned why action was not taken earlier, while acknowledging it had not produced evidence of his personal intervention.
Key facts
- Main accused
- R Veeramani, founder of GEM Granites, was arrested on August 29.
- Other arrests
- Shanthi, Mahendra Simhan and former GEM group employee Ganesan were also arrested.
- Initial complaint
- Congress functionary Ranjan Kumar said he complained to Chennai Police on November 24, 2024.
- SIT formation
- A four-member all-women Special Investigation Team was constituted on September 24.
- SIT leadership
- The team is headed by Additional Commissioner of Police PC Thenmozhi and supervised by Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj.
- Earlier investigation
- A special POCSO court rejected a closure report in August and ordered further investigation.
- Court schedule
- The SIT's first report is due October 1, with further proceedings on October 7.
Sources
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