Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Chennai Granite Businessman Arrested After POCSO Probe Closure Rejected
Police in Chennai arrested businessman R Veeramani and two other people in a case involving alleged sexual offences against minors.
The two others are Shanthi and her husband, Mahendra Simhan.
Police say a pen drive containing a video was brought to them on October 6, 2025.
A case was registered the next day.
Investigators say the man in the video was Veeramani.
They also allege that minor girls were brought to a house in Teynampet.
Police say another video, photographs and other evidence were recovered.
The three people were sent to judicial custody while the investigation continues.
Veeramani’s company, family and legal representatives have not yet responded, according to the report.
Granite businessman R Veeramani was arrested with Shanthi and her husband, Mahendra Simhan, in a POCSO case.
Police allege that Veeramani sexually abused minor girls at a house he rented in Teynampet.
Investigators allege Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan helped facilitate and conceal the alleged offences.
The case began on October 6, 2025, after police received a pen drive containing purported assault footage.
The three accused were arrested nearly 11 months after the case was registered and remanded in judicial custody.
- Who
- R Veeramani, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan were arrested by the Central Crime Branch’s Anti-Vice Squad.
- What
- They were arrested in a case involving alleged sexual offences against minor girls.
- When
- The case was reported on October 6, 2025, registered on October 7, 2025, and the arrests occurred nearly 11 months later.
- Where
- The investigation is being conducted in Chennai; police allege that offences occurred at a house in Teynampet.
- Why
- Police allege that Veeramani committed the offences and that Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan helped facilitate and conceal them.
Police allegations
Unresolved questions
What happened at the rented house
Police allegations
Police allege that Veeramani rented a house in Teynampet, where several minor girls were brought and sexual offences were committed.
Unresolved questions
The reports do not state whether all alleged survivors were identified or whether the allegations were independently corroborated through forensic or other evidence.
Role of the two associates
Police allegations
Investigators allege that Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan facilitated the alleged offences and helped conceal them.
Unresolved questions
No response from Shanthi, Mahendra Simhan or their legal representatives is provided in the reports.
Timing of the arrests
Police allegations
Police arrested the three accused after a special POCSO court reportedly rejected a request to close the case.
Unresolved questions
The police statement does not explain why arrests were not made earlier, despite the case having been registered in October 2025.
- Main accused
- R Veeramani, described as founder of GEM Granites and chairman of the Gem Group
- Other arrested people
- Shanthi and her husband, Mahendra Simhan
- Investigating unit
- Central Crime Branch’s Anti-Vice Squad
- Case type
- POCSO case involving alleged sexual offences against minors
- Case reported
- October 6, 2025
- FIR registration
- October 7, 2025
- Court outcome
- All three accused were remanded in judicial custody
