Chennai: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating allegations of sexual abuse of minor girls involving Gem Granites owner R Veeramani has questioned former Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun (IPS: 1998: TN), and examined other senior IPS officers as part of its investigation into the handling of the case.
Arun, an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-rank officer, was questioned by investigators regarding the handling of complaints and allegations against Veeramani. Inspectors-General of Police N Kannan and A Radhika, who previously served as Additional Commissioners of Police in Chennai, have also been examined by the SIT, according to police sources.
The inquiry is examining the actions taken by police officials at different stages of the case, including the handling of information relating to the allegations.
Arun and Kannan were placed on compulsory wait by the Tamil Nadu government in September amid scrutiny over the handling of the matter. The questioning does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing by the officers.
SIT Examines Role of Senior Police Officials
According to reports, investigators recorded Arun’s responses during questioning and sought details about the handling of the allegations against Veeramani.
The investigation follows a series of developments in the case, including the registration of an FIR in October 2025 and a subsequent attempt to close the investigation.
Read Also: Tamil Nadu Places Two Senior IPS Officers on Compulsory Wait Amid Scrutiny of Veeramani POCSO Case
The police had filed a closure report in February 2026, citing difficulties in establishing the identity and age of the minor shown in video footage submitted to investigators. However, a special court dealing with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act rejected the closure report and directed further investigation.
The state subsequently constituted an all-women SIT to investigate the sexual abuse allegations and related matters.
Key developments in the investigation include:
- October 2025: An FIR was registered after a pen drive containing video footage allegedly showing the sexual assault of a minor was submitted to the police.
- February 2026: Police filed a closure report, which was rejected by the special POCSO court.
- August 2026: Veeramani and two associates were arrested in connection with the case.
- September 2026: The Tamil Nadu government placed Arun and Kannan on compulsory wait amid scrutiny over the handling of the allegations.
- October 2026: The SIT questioned senior police officers as part of its ongoing investigation.
Financial Transactions Under Investigation
Investigators are also examining the financial trail associated with some suspects in the case.
According to police-source reporting, the probe is looking into possible cash transactions, expensive gifts and real-estate investments that investigators suspect could be relevant to the handling of the cases against Veeramani.
One suspect, N Prakash, reportedly had approximately ₹20 crore in a bank account. Investigators have taken steps to freeze the account, while efforts to trace Prakash were reported to be ongoing. The source of the funds had not been established in the available reporting.
These financial aspects remain under investigation. The reported account balance and suspected transactions do not, by themselves, establish that the money was connected to an offence.
Seventh POCSO Case Registered Against Veeramani
In a further development, Greater Chennai Police registered another case against Veeramani under the POCSO Act following a complaint from a woman who alleged that he had sexually abused her when she was a minor.
The case, reported on October 13, brings the number of POCSO cases registered against him to seven, according to police reporting. Investigators have also said that 10 survivors had been identified in connection with the allegations under investigation.
Veeramani was arrested in August along with associates Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan in connection with allegations involving a minor. The allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
SIT Continues Probe Into Allegations and Case Handling
The SIT is investigating both the allegations of sexual offences against minors and related questions concerning how the cases were handled by the police.
The examination of senior officers forms part of this wider inquiry. Investigators are continuing to gather information about the sequence of decisions taken during the handling of the complaints, while the financial angle is being examined separately.
The outcome of the investigation will determine whether further action is warranted against any individuals involved.
