Third Pocso case filed against granite baron Veeramani over 2004 suicide of Class 11 student

Tamil Nadu police registered the fresh Pocso case against Veeramani after the victim's mother alleged that the granite baron sexually abused her daughter before she died by suicide in 2004.

In Short

• Third case filed against granite baron R Veeramani for sexual abuse of minor
• Case linked to 2004 suicide of Class 11 student after alleged abuse
• SIT formed to probe allegations, found destroyed police records

A third case has been filed against Tamil Nadu granite baron R Veeramani, who is accused of sexually abusing multiple minors, in connection with the death of a Class 11 student who died by suicide in 2004. The complaint was filed after her mother disclosed to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the girl was sexually abused by him before her death.

The SIT, which was formed to probe allegations of sexual abuse of girls by 84-year-old Veeramani, registered the fresh case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

The woman appeared before the SIT on September 28 and alleged that her daughter, who was studying at a school in a Chennai neighbourhood, had received financial assistance from Veeramani for her education.

Veeramani invited the girl to his guest house in 2004, and the mother alleged that her daughter remained withdrawn after returning from the guest house and later died by suicide.

The mother also told investigators that a complaint had been lodged with the local police following her daughter's death, but no action was taken at the time.

The two-decade-old case resurfaced after investigators accessed a text message asking Veeramani whether he remembered his involvement in the girl's death. The SIT subsequently conducted enquiries to verify the message and succeeded in identifying the victim.

The girl's mother was then traced and appeared before investigators, following which she lodged a formal complaint alleging that her daughter had been sexually abused by Veeramani before her death.

During the investigation, however, the SIT discovered that the original records relating to the 2004 suicide case at the local police station were no longer available. Investigators found that the records had been destroyed after parts of the police station were set on fire during the 2017 Jallikattu protests.

Police are also verifying allegations that Rs 1 lakh was paid to the victim's family on two occasions.

The latest case comes amid a wider SIT investigation into allegations that Veeramani sexually abused several girls. The first Pocso case against him was filed in October 2025 and was closed without enquiry in February 2026. After the cases and allegations resurfaced and led to a massive row, the second Pocso case against him was filed earlier this month.

According to investigators, Veeramani kept minor children at the residence of co-accused Shanthi in Chennai to sexually assault them and that Shanthi subsequently attempted to destroy evidence.

The investigation has also uncovered major financial transactions involving the accused. According to police, Rs 24.63 crore was transferred from Veeramani's account to Shanthi, while Rs 2 crore was subsequently transferred to her husband, Mahendra Simhan, 63.

The all-women SIT was constituted following a directive from Tamil Nadu Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the sexual abuse case against Veeramani and others. The team is functioning under the supervision of Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj.

Chennai Police has also appealed to people possessing information, documents or evidence relating to the case to contact investigators at 9345319676 through phone calls or WhatsApp. Police said the identities and details of informants would be kept strictly confidential.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has taken suo motu cognisance of allegations that Veeramani sexually abused girls aged between 12 and 16. The commission has said its fact-finding team will visit Chennai to conduct an on-ground enquiry.

A Pocso court on Friday extended Veeramani's judicial custody until October 9. He has been in judicial custody since August 29. Veeramani and three others have been arrested in connection with the sexual abuse case.

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