Eight people, including granite businessman Veeramani, Shanti (61), her husband Mahendra Simhan (63) and Ganesan (52), have been arrested in connection with a complaint alleging sexual assault of a minor. Police have invoked the Goondas Act against four of the accused, and seven cases have so far been registered against Veeramani.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising women officers is probing the matter. In the second POCSO case against Veeramani, he was earlier taken into police custody for two days and questioned within the Puzhal prison premises, citing his age and health. Shanti and Mahendra Simhan were also questioned, while Ganesan was taken into custody for three days.
Citing the need to probe alleged financial transactions linked to the case, the SIT moved a special court seeking fresh police custody of Veeramani, Shanti and Mahendra Simhan. The judge granted two days’ custody, following which the trio were brought from Puzhal Central Prison to Peravallur police station on Friday morning, chosen for security and logistical reasons.
Investigators are questioning the three both separately and together, focusing on whether money was paid to suppress the case, who facilitated the transactions, and how the funds were transferred. The interrogation is continuing.
Meanwhile, Veeramani’s daughter Archana is also within the investigation’s ambit and is required to obtain prior police permission before travelling out of state or abroad. She was stopped while preparing to fly to Singapore from Chennai airport, taken to the old Police Commissioner’s office at Egmore for questioning, and later admitted to Apollo Hospital after she reportedly fainted. The SIT has issued her a summons to appear for questioning on Saturday.
