Tamil Nadu police invoke Goondas Act against Gem Group chairman in fourth minor-sex assault case
Tamil Nadu police have applied the Goondas Act to Gem Group chairman R Veeramani after a fourth case alleging sexual assault of minor girls was filed by a special investigation team.
The Tamil Nadu police have invoked the Goondas Act to detain R Veeramani, the 84-year-old chairman of Gem Group of Companies, after the state’s special investigation team lodged a fourth case accusing him of sexually assaulting minor girls. Greater Chennai Police commissioner A Amalraj signed the order, which allows a 12-month detention without trial, and also named two alleged facilitators, Shanthi and her husband Mahendra Simhan, in the order.
Veeramani, already arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in August, remains in custody along with Shanthi, Simhan and former employee Kamalesh, who was arrested for possessing a video of the alleged abuse. The case originated from a complaint filed on October 6, 2025 by a social activist who provided a pen drive containing video recordings to the Anti-Vice Squad of the Central Crime Branch. To gather further information, police released a WhatsApp number that has so far produced five useful tips under investigation.
Why it matters
The case highlights serious allegations of child sexual abuse involving a prominent business leader and triggers extended detention powers under the Goondas Act.
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