Key conduit in ‘Gem Granites’ Veeramani case arrested

A key aide to Gem Granites owner R. Veeramani, who allegedly facilitated money transfers to help the octogenarian businessman evade police action, has been arrested, police sources said on Sunday.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to probe cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Veeramani and his associates, arrested Sakthivel, his manager. Investigators suspect that he played a key role in transferring funds to individuals who allegedly helped the businessman evade legal action, the sources said.

Veeramani is facing multiple allegations of sexual abuse of children and a case relating to abetment of suicide. Besides Veeramani, his associate Shanti, her husband Mahendra Simhan, and five others have been arrested and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.

On Sunday, the Central Crime Branch of the Greater Chennai Police registered a seventh case under the POCSO Act against Veeramani, based on a minor’s statement alleging that she had been sexually exploited by him. The incident occurred in the residence of Shanti. Statements have so far been recorded from 11 victims, most of whom were minors when the alleged offences took place, the sources said.

The arrest of Sakthivel is expected to shed light on the alleged transfer of large sums of cash and gold through one or more middlemen to help Veeramani avoid police action. “Sakthivel organised the transfer of funds and purchase of gold on the instructions of Veeramani. He was the key conduit between the businessman and the middlemen who tried to help in evading police action,” a police officer, who did not want to be quoted, said.

The police are also searching for N. Prakash, who is on the run and believed to be staying abroad. Investigators found that he had a bank balance exceeding ₹20 crore, most of which was allegedly received through bank transfers from firms owned by Veeramani. He had served as an adviser to the Gem Group of Companies, the sources said. Investigators have established the purchase and delivery of gold worth about ₹24 crore, besides identifying other cash transfers.

Sakthivel’s questioning is expected to help trace the alleged beneficiaries of these transactions, the sources added. The SIT in a statement said incriminating materials were seized from Veeramani’s residence on Lloyd’s Road in Royapettah, his farmhouse in Kanathur, and a business establishment.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)