Madras High Court denies CBI probe into R Veeramani POCSO cases

The Madras High Court has denied a request to transfer the investigation of POCSO cases involving Gem Granites owner R Veeramani to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A division bench consisting of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan ruled that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe is still in its initial stages and found no valid reason to hand the matter over to the CBI. The petitioner subsequently withdrew the public interest litigation.

Industrialist R Veeramani, 84, is currently incarcerated in Puzhal Central Prison following his arrest in connection with allegations of sexual abuse involving minor girls. Police report that seven cases have been registered, including six counts of sexual assault and one case of sexual assault leading to suicide, based on complaints from 10 young girls.

A four-member SIT, including women IPS officers, has been conducting interrogations. Due to Veeramani’s advanced age, the court permitted the SIT to conduct custodial inquiries directly within the prison facility. Several individuals, including alleged accomplices and an assistant, have also been arrested in connection with the investigation.