Chennai: Gem Granites owner R Veeramani, 84, was taken into the three-day custody by the Central Crime Branch’s Anti-Vice Squad on Thursday for questioning in connection with a case of rape of a minor girl. Citing his age and health condition, an Egmore magistrate directed police to question him within the court premises.Veeramani was among three people arrested in the case, along with Shanthi and her husband Mahendra Simhan. The case was registered in Oct 2025 after police received a pen drive containing a video that purportedly showed a minor girl being sexually assaulted. Police subsequently identified Veeramani as the man seen in the footage, according to investigators.The police had earlier sought to close the case after they could not identify or locate the girl. A special POCSO court rejected the closure report on Aug 19 and ordered further investigation. The fresh probe led to the arrests of Veeramani and the couple.During the present questioning, police prepared a questionnaire containing around 100 questions. Investigators were examining details provided by Shanthi, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and the possible involvement of others.Police said the survivor had subsequently been identified and her statement was recorded before a magistrate in Egmore on Wednesday. Investigators were also examining whether any other minor girls had been subjected to similar assault.Veeramani had earlier told the magistrate that his health condition had worsened while he was in Puzhal prison. Following representations from his counsel, police took him to a govt hospital for a medical assessment before questioning him in the court premises.An investigating officer said Veeramani would be permitted to meet his lawyer once a day in accordance with the court’s directions.
