Chennai: Granite Veeramani (85), arrested in a POCSO case, has told investigators that he fell into what he described as a conspiracy by his friend Shanthi (61) and later lost several crores while trying to conceal the offence, police sources said.
Veeramani and Shanthi are among seven people arrested in connection with allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Police said Veeramani faces seven cases and was arrested most recently in a POCSO case. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has taken him into two-day police custody for questioning.
According to the statement attributed to him, Shanthi allegedly used his vulnerability to extort money, secretly recording videos and threatening to expose him. He claimed her husband also aided the alleged blackmail. Veeramani said he was pressured to sell a multi-crore property in Injambakkam and, after refusing initially, he was forced to sell the land at a lower price when threats and leaks began.
He further alleged that even after payments, intimidation continued, with several people—including politicians—joining in, and that Shanthi collected and distributed money to them. As the matter reached the police, he said he informed his daughter, who introduced him to Prakash, the son of railway union functionary Kannaiya, through whom he claims he paid and lost crores to suppress the issue.
Separately, police said a document has been recovered indicating that 23 kg of gold was allegedly routed from Veeramani’s house to officials through intermediaries. The SIT is questioning him to identify which officials allegedly received the gold.
