Gem Granites Veeramani case: Chennai Police issue LOC restraining five suspects from leaving India

Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani coming out of the special POCSO court in Chennai. File

The Greater Chennai Police have issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against five suspects in the ‘Gem Granites’ owner Veeramani POCSO Act case restraining them from leaving India.

‘Gem Granites’ Veeramani POCSO cases in Tamil Nadu: a compilation

According to police sources, investigators believe the suspects were in possession or had knowledge of certain documents or information in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases booked against R. Veeramani and his associates.

“We have issued a LOC against five persons to prevent them from escaping to a foreign country. Going by the investigation so far, these persons are suspected to be involved in the POCSO Act cases against Veeramani,” a police officer said.

LOCs are issued to stop any individual wanted by the police or investigating agency from leaving or entering the country through designated land, air and sea ports. The Bureau of Immigration will enforce the LOC preventing such individuals from leaving or entering the country.

Archana Veeramani, daughter of Veeramani, who was hospitalised due to an ailment was allowed to go home. Archana was detained at the Chennai International Airport by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to probe the POCSO Act cases, when she was about to leave the country on Friday.

Archana was questioned by the police regarding the criminal activities of Veeramani and the money transactions that took place to evade police action, the SIT said in a statement.

The police registered one more case under the POCSO Act against the octogenarian businessman based on a complaint lodged by a victim who alleged that he had sexually abused her. Besides Veeramani, his associate Shanti and one Lazar were also booked in the case.

So far the police have registered 8 cases under the POCSO Act and 1 case of abetment to suicide involving a minor girl in 2004 against Veeramani and others.8 accused persons have been arrested so far and lodged in the Puzhal central prison.

The SIT said that Veeramani, Shanti and her husband Mahendra Simhan would soon be taken into custody for interrogation. They would be confronted with the evidence seized so far.

The investigation would soon be completed and chargesheets laid in the designated court, the SIT said.