Khushbu Sundar on R Veeramani POCSO case: 'Powerful must never feel untouchable'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress, producer, and politician Khushbu Sundar on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, spoke out sharply against the POCSO case involving Chennai-based granite industrialist R Veeramani, warning that wealth and political connections must never be allowed to shield the powerful from accountability. Her remarks came as the Greater Chennai Police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) widened its investigation, making three fresh arrests in the case.
Khushbu's Unequivocal Condemnation
Taking to her Instagram page, Khushbu wrote: 'A child's pain cannot be bought. Her voice cannot be silenced. Justice cannot be negotiated. And the powerful must never be allowed to believe they are untouchable.' She described child sexual abuse as 'nothing more monstrous, more cowardly or more unforgivable,' insisting that every child is meant to be protected, not violated or silenced.
The actress also directed her anger at what she alleged was an attempt to suppress the truth. 'If wealth, ₹70 crore in this case, influence or political and personal connections are used to bury the truth, to silence a victim or obstruct justice, it angers me more and that is equally unacceptable. It must be exposed and investigated,' she wrote, adding the hashtag #RVeeramanicase and questioning how he 'went scot-free for all these years.'
Khushbu concluded her post with a firm demand: 'If guilt is established, there must be no escape. The law must come down with its full force and punish the perpetrator and those involved in the crime, without delay.'
Three More Arrested as CCB Widens Probe
Parallel to the public outcry, the CCB arrested Ganesan, a former employee of Gem Granites, after an allegedly objectionable video involving Veeramani and a minor girl was reportedly recovered from his mobile phone. A couple identified as Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, believed to have maintained close links with Veeramani, were also taken into custody.
All three were produced before a court following the completion of preliminary legal formalities. The court remanded Ganesan, Shanthi, and Mahendra Simhan to judicial custody, according to police.
Background: The Case Against R Veeramani
R Veeramani is a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu's granite industry. He has already been arrested over allegations that he sexually abused several minor girls, with the case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The case has sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu and drawn national attention, with questions emerging about how long the alleged abuse went unreported and whether influential connections played a role in delaying action.
Notably, this is not the first time that a high-profile POCSO case in India has surfaced allegations of institutional inaction enabling a perpetrator over an extended period. Critics argue that the ₹70 crore figure cited in connection with the case — reportedly linked to alleged inducements — underscores how economic power can be weaponised against child victims seeking justice.
What Happens Next
With the CCB's investigation ongoing and multiple accused now in judicial custody, the case is expected to move toward a chargesheet in the coming weeks. Legal experts and child rights advocates have called for a time-bound trial under POCSO's fast-track provisions. The developments have also renewed calls for tighter enforcement of mandatory reporting norms in private industry. All eyes now remain on Tamil Nadu's judicial machinery to ensure swift and unimpeded proceedings.