Chennai: The Special Investigation Team probing the complaints against Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani has added an eighth case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, registered on 21 October on a fresh complaint from a survivor who was a minor at the time of the alleged offence.
According to the police, the survivor alleged she was assaulted by Veeramani at his residence in Gopalapuram a few years ago. Seven cases were already pending against him.
Look Out Circulars have been issued against five people to stop them from flying abroad, according to an official release. They are either accused or suspected accomplices.
Veeramani and his associates Mahendra Simhan, 63, and Shanthi, 60, have been in prison since 29 August. The SIT has taken him and three other associates into custody for questioning at Peravallur police station, as per court orders, using material seized in raids on his offices and residences in and around Chennai on 10 and 11 October.
The arrests have widened beyond the businessman. His manager at Gem Granites, Sakthivel, was arrested on 18 October for allegedly helping him evade legal action. Three long-time drivers, Lasar, Parthiban and Babu, were arrested earlier for allegedly ferrying minor girls to the houses where they were abused. Lasar had been with him 23 years and the other two eight years. Another employee, Ganesan, was arrested for not alerting the police despite knowing his employer's behaviour.
On 23 October, police detained his daughter Archana as she attempted to board an international flight, questioned her about the alleged crimes and about financial transactions said to have been made to shield him, and let her go that evening. She later complained of ill health and was admitted to a hospital.
Twelve victims have now come forward with complaints against Veeramani and his associates. An official said the investigation is nearing completion and the final report will be filed before the concerned court soon.
The case began with a pendrive carrying a video sent to the city police's Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit in October 2025, and an FIR registered on 7 October 2025. A closure report filed in February 2026, saying the video was unclear, was rejected by a special court, after which investigations resumed.
Eight people have been arrested so far.