SIT calls off search operation at Veeramani’s house

A view of GEM Granites owner R. Veeramani House on Lloyds Road, Royapettah. File | Photo Credit: Ragu. R : After hours of digging using an excavator on the premises of Gem Granites owner and POCSO Act case accused R. Veeramani’s residence in Chennai, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) called off the search operation to trace the body of a girl alleged to have been buried there.However, investigators would continue to pursue the information shared by one of the victims in the child sexual abuse cases, who said she saw a girl being buried in the businessman’s house in Royapettah, police sources said on Sunday (November 15, 2026).While the octogenarian granite baron has already been booked in a case of abetment to suicide of a minor girl in 2004, fresh information emerged that a girl was buried in his house.The SIT constituted to probe allegations of child sexual abuse cases booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Veeramani and his associates acted on a statement given by a victim in the special court that she saw the crime happening a few years ago.“We conducted an intensive search operation at the suspected premises in the house of Veeramani based on the statement given by a victim. She could only remember the name of the girl who she alleged was buried…we will continue to process the information,” a police officer said.One more case against VeeramaniThe police have registered one more case under the POCSO Act against Veeramani based on a complaint lodged by a victim who alleged that he sexually exploited her. A video was also seized, and the driver, Bala alias Perumal who then drove the victim to the businessman’s house was arrested.Investigators have so far recorded the statements of 13 victims who claimed that the businessman sexually abused them when they were minors over a period of time.Four videos allegedly showing Veeramani in a compromising position with victims have been seized. He now faces 9 cases under the POCSO Act. Ten accused persons have been arrested and lodged in the Puzhal Central Jail in connection with these cases, and a chargesheet was filed in one case in the designated special court recently, the sources said.(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) Published - November 15, 2026 07:32 pm IST