Police Say Girl Sexually Abused in 2004 Died by Suicide; First Chargesheet in Two Weeks

The Special Investigation Team investigating sexual abuse allegations against granite baron R Veeramani is preparing to file its first chargesheet within two weeks, while Chennai Police have booked him in connection with the alleged suicide of a minor girl more than two decades ago.

A senior police officer said investigators hope to file the chargesheet within two weeks in the first POCSO case registered in October 2025.

The 2004 death came to light during the investigation after police accessed a message allegedly sent by co-accused Shanthi to Veeramani. The message reportedly asked whether he remembered his alleged involvement in the death of a girl.

Following this lead, a special police team traced the girl’s family. Her mother subsequently filed a complaint alleging that Veeramani had sexually abused her daughter and that the girl later died by suicide.

The girl's mother also told investigators that the family had approached local police at the time of the incident but alleged that no action was taken.

Police have now booked Veeramani for alleged abetment of suicide and invoked provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against him, Shanthi and others.

Investigators are also verifying information about alleged payments of Rs 1 lakh to the girl’s family or relatives on two occasions.

The case is part of a wider investigation into allegations against Veeramani, who first came under scrutiny in October 2025 after an NGO volunteer provided the Anti-Vice Squad with a pen drive containing a video purportedly showing Veeramani sexually assaulting a minor.

Police initially sought to close that case after saying they were unable to identify the girl in the video. However, a Special POCSO Court rejected the closure report and directed police to conduct further investigation.

The investigation later expanded, with police arresting Ganesan, a former employee of Veeramani, for allegedly possessing the video and failing to report it. Investigators also invoked the SC/ST Act after establishing that one survivor belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.

Veeramani, Shanthi and Shanthi’s husband Mahendra Simhan were arrested on August 29 in connection with the original case.

Investigators are also examining financial transactions allegedly connected with the accused. Police have alleged that Rs 24.63 crore was transferred from Veeramani’s account to Shanthi, with Rs 2 crore subsequently transferred to Simhan. Another account under investigation reportedly contained more than Rs 20 crore, and police have begun steps to freeze it.

Meanwhile, a Special POCSO Court has reserved its order on bail petitions filed by Shanthi and Simhan. Police opposed bail, citing concerns about possible witness tampering and destruction of evidence, while defence lawyers argued that the arrests were improper and further custody was unnecessary.