The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cases against Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani registered a third case against him in connection with the death of a Class 11 student who died by suicide in 2004, based on a complaint from the girl’s mother.
Veeramani was arrested by the Anti-Vice Squad (AVS) on August 29 along with his associates in a POCSO case registered over the alleged sexual assault of a minor at his city guest house in 2019. A second POCSO case was later registered against him based on a complaint by the mother of another survivor, who accused him of sexually assaulting her daughter in 2024. The SIT, constituted by DGP Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal on September 24, was headed by P C Thenmozhi and comprised Disha Mittal, J Mutharasi and V V Geethanjali. Additional ACP-rank officers were assigned to assist the team.
According to the complaint, the Class 11 student had received financial assistance from Veeramani for her education at a school in Teynampet. Her mother told police that Veeramani invited the girl to his guest house on the pretext of giving her a Diwali gift in 2004. After returning home, the girl remained withdrawn and later died by suicide by hanging at her house in Ice House.
Her body was sent to Govt Royapettah Hospital for post-mortem and was later handed over to her parents. Police said an associate of Veeramani, who was arrested in the current case, visited the mortuary and gave the mother Rs 30,000 for the funeral. The associate also arranged for the cremation at Krishnampet crematorium.
The mother told police that Veeramani later offered Rs 1.50 lakh towards her niece’s marriage. She alleged that cash and gifts were given to her and her relatives to prevent details surrounding her daughter’s death from becoming public.
The mother approached Chennai Police Commissioner A Amalraj last week after learning about Veeramani’s arrest. Her complaint was forwarded to the SIT. During the inquiry, the team found that the original suicide case records at the Ice House police station had been destroyed when the station was set on fire during the 2017 Jallikattu protests.
The SIT obtained details of the case from the Assistant Commissioner of Police’s office and the court concerned and continued the investigation.
