‘Gem Granites’ founder R. Veeramani
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
The first complaint lodged by M.P. Ranjan Kumar of the Congress on November 22, 2024, will be taken as the primary charge in the POCSO Act case against ‘Gem Granites’ owner R. Veeramani and others, police sources said on Wednesday (October 21, 2026).
Mr. Kumar, president of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s Scheduled Caste Department, had filed a complaint with then Additional Commissioner of Police, South, N. Kannan, seeking action against Veeramani and his associate, Shanthi. [This was first reported by The Hindu.]
He had alleged that Veeramani sexually exploited minors, mostly belonging to the Below Poverty Line category, and minority and SC communities. He also provided screenshots and video evidence of the businessman abusing a minor girl.
The complaint was referred to then Commissioner of Police A. Arun, who forwarded it to the Central Crime Branch (CCB). However, no case was registered, the sources said.
“We have decided to take Ranjan Kumar’s complaint as the primary complaint in the first case. No action was taken on the complaint for close to 10 months. A case was [later in 2025] registered on the basis of a complaint sent by an anonymous person. But the complaint skipped certain crucial points which were clearly established,” a senior police officer said.
Investigators are in the process of arraigning N. Prakash as an accused in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases. He is allegedly absconding, and staying in the U.K.
“There are reasons to believe that Prakash is involved in these cases. Besides a huge balance in his bank account, there is other evidence, such as suspicious transactions, to suspect his involvement. We are taking steps through diplomatic channels to bring him back,” the officer said.
The Greater Chennai Police were taking steps to issue a Blue Corner notice to trace Prakash and bring him back to Chennai. Considering the sensitive nature of the cases, the assistance of Interpol and other diplomatic agencies would be sought, the sources said.
According to Interpol, a Blue Corner notice is issued to locate, identify, or obtain information on a person of interest in a criminal investigation.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the POCSO Act cases has already examined Mr. Arun, Mr. Kannan, the then Additional Commissioner of Police, A. Radhika, and others.
Besides Veeramani, Shanthi, and her husband Mahendra Simhan, five others have been arrested and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison. Seven cases under the POCSO Act and a case of abetment to suicide involving a minor have been registered against Veeramani and others.
IG transferred without posting
Ms. Radhika, Inspector General of Police (IG), Administration, was on Wednesday transferred without a posting. She has been replaced by IG N. Kamini, who was serving as Commissioner of Police, Tiruchi.
She was the Additional Commissioner of Police, Central Crime Branch, when the first complaint of child abuse was lodged in 2024.
Published – October 22, 2026 06:00 am IST
