‘Gem Granite’ Veeramani – a stone cold criminal

For decades, R. Veeramani, 84, known as ‘Gem Granite’ Veeramani, has been hailed as one of the architects of India’s granite industry. He helped build the institutional framework of the sector, headed industry bodies and was honored by the Union Government for his contribution to granite mining and marketing. He was also known for his philanthropic activities.

Lawyer Veeramani entered the natural stone industry by chance and became one of its pioneers. He built a multi-million dollar business and carefully cultivated a social circle that included politicians, celebrities and other public figures. However, there seemed to be another side to him. The Greater Chennai Police is today investigating allegations that he sexually assaulted minor girls. The case took a dramatic turn after a special POCSO court last month rejected an earlier police report seeking closure of the probe and ordered further investigation.

Origin of the case

The case arose out of a complaint filed by a child rights activist from an NGO based in Anna Nagar, Chennai, to the Immoral Traffic Prevention Unit (ITPU) inspector on October 6, 2025.

The complaint was forwarded to the then Additional Commissioner of the Central Criminal Police (CCB) for further action. The next day, the CCB registered a case under Sections 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) and it was handed over to the ITPU Deputy Commissioner on October 9.

According to the complaint, while the activist was in her office, an unknown person handed her an envelope with a message and a pen. A man (later identified as Veeramani) was seen hugging, inappropriately touching and sexually abusing a minor girl on a bed in a house belonging to Shanthi, who is described as his companion.

The police officer who originally investigated the case found that the search of the home alleged in the complaint or on the video did not yield any evidence of wrongdoing by the individuals named in the complaint.

On February 20, 2026, the Deputy Commissioner of the ITPU filed a report with the court recommending that no further action be taken. According to the report, the video appeared to show an incident that took place in 2019.

Police examined a digital video recorder (DVR) from the suspect location with the assistance of a licensed cyber forensic expert. However, investigators said they were unable to recover the original recording or other relevant footage from the device.

An earlier report cited several problems, including the police’s inability to identify the girl in the video, the absence of usable CCTV footage and the lack of statements from Shantha’s neighbors. He also said that the cyber forensics expert could not obtain the original DVR recording because approximately six years had passed since the alleged incident.

Veeramani and Shanthi were questioned during the investigation. Veeramani denied being the person seen in the video and said he did not know the person who appeared in the footage with the girl who appeared to be a minor. Shanthi on the other hand said that she knows Veeramani but doesn’t know the girl. She also stated that the location shown in the footage was not part of her house.

The report stated that the age and identity of the person resembling the minor in the video could not be ascertained and there were no grounds for further action at this stage. The case was therefore classified as “Further Action Stopped” and the report submitted to the court. Police added that further action will be taken if new evidence or witnesses come to light.

However, the special court dismissed the report and ordered another probe, after which the investigation was reopened in July 2026. During the new investigation, police searched Shanthi’s residence in Teynampet and found what they described as the original recording of the alleged sexual assault from an electronic device, a letter purported to be written to Shanthi, and mobile records. Investigators also found signs of an attempt to destroy evidence. The seized devices were sent for forensic examination.

In a statement issued on August 29, the Greater Chennai Police said the person seen in the video stored on the disc was identified as Veeramani. They added that Veeramani had rented a house in Teynampet and entrusted its management to Shanthi and her husband Mahendran Simhan. Investigators alleged that several underage girls were brought to the home and sexually assaulted. Police also said that a video recording of one such incident has been secured.

During searches of homes and searches of suspects, police seized evidence, including photographs of underage girls linked to the incidents. Shanthi (55), Mahendran Simhan (60) and Veeramani were arrested and remanded in judicial custody. The police alleged that Shanthi and her husband were aiding and abetting the crimes. The investigation continued. A senior police officer said Shanthi’s alleged role could be broadly compared to that of Ghislaine Maxwell (in the Jeffrey Epstein case), who was convicted of facilitating the sexual exploitation of minors.

Victim identified

Last week, police investigating a case under the POCSO Act identified the minor girl who was allegedly assaulted by Veeramani. She was 12 years old at the time of the alleged incident. The survivor’s statement was recorded before the Magistrate’s Court. She identified herself and Veeramani in the video.

Police subsequently tracked down and identified three other victims, all of whom were aged 12-15 at the time of the incidents. Sources said other victims came forward to record their statements about the assaults by the main accused after they were assured that their identities would be kept secret.

Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj said, “We strictly follow the guidelines while dealing with such cases. Tracing the victims has taken time and the investigation is in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law. After conducting a thorough investigation, we will file a case and convict in a timely manner.”

During the investigation, the police also uncovered a case of suicide of a minor girl from early 2003, linked to Veeramani. Shanthi’s note to Veeramani stated that a child ended her life because of him.

Aimed at minors

A senior police officer said Veeramani had been targeting girls aged 12-16 for several years. The officer said he lured the children by offering them small amounts of money, sports shoes, chocolates and mobile phones.

Sources said Veeramani encouraged the children to enter the premises of his bungalow while he stayed in the portico and pretended to play ball. The children collected the thrown balls. He would give them chocolate and food when they entered his compound, but he only targeted girls for exploitation. He chose his targets, asked their names and gave them his phone number, saying they could call him for any help, including financial assistance. If they contacted him, he said he would send a driver to bring them to the bungalow. He took them to his bedroom and the victims were sexually assaulted. He gave them amounts ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. If the victim complained that it was too low, the payment was increased, in some cases up to ₹50,000. Sometimes he gave the girls cell phones or sports shoes. The officer also alleged that Veeramani invited children to parties in hotels, transported them in luxury cars and then sexually assaulted them. So it went on for years.

Back entrance and secret room

Police sources further said that the victims identified the back entrance, the bedroom of his bungalow and a secret room in his office. The officer also said that Shanthi claimed that she was raped by Veeramani when she was 13 and had a son by him. Police sources said she was looking for a share in Veeramani’s property. They also said that Shanthi trained as an architect and now runs a dance school. She and her husband served as directors of a company owned by Veeramani and were on his payroll.

When contacted, there was no response from Veeramani’s side on the allegations against him. Police sources said the investigation has only just begun and they suspect more revelations will emerge.

Dismissing allegations that the investigation was botched last year, a senior officer who previously served in the Commissionerate said, “We registered a case immediately after receiving the video. There was no laxity in the investigation. As the picture was not clear, we could not identify the victim. Without identifying the victim, we could not proceed, but we did not close the case. If we had identified the victim, we would have moved forward.”

It was learned that the case status report was filed in February to meet the statutory deadline. The report did not call for the case to be closed. The officer said the case remains open, adding that the investigation may be reopened if new evidence emerges.

(Help to overcome suicidal thoughts is available on State Health Line 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline 044-24640050)