Granite baron Veeramani, two associates held under Goondas Act in Chennai
Synopsis
Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani, 84, has been detained under the Goondas Act alongside two associates — a preventive step by Chennai Police that follows his August 2026 arrest for alleged sexual abuse of minor girls, two further cases alleging he drove victims to suicide, and a parallel probe into suspicious financial transactions.
Key Takeaways
Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner A.
Amalraj ordered detention of R.
Veeramani , Shanthi , and Mahendra Simhan under the Goondas Act .
Veeramani, 84 , founder of Gem Granites , was first arrested by the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit on 29 August 2026 on charges of sexually assaulting minor girls.
Police have registered four cases in total, including two additional cases alleging Veeramani drove minor girls to suicide.
Investigators are examining suspicious financial transactions involving Veeramani; amounts and nature have not been disclosed.
A WhatsApp helpline (9345319676) has been set up for victims and witnesses; five useful inputs have been received so far.
All three accused are lodged in Central Prison, Puzhal ; the Goondas Act detention is preventive and does not amount to a finding of guilt.
Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj has ordered the detention of Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani, aged 84, and two associates under the Goondas Act, citing allegations of repeated criminal activity and public disorder. All three are currently in judicial custody at Central Prison, Puzhal, in connection with cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls.
Who Has Been Detained
Besides Veeramani, the detention orders cover Shanthi, 60, and her husband Mahendra Simhan, 63. According to a statement from the Commissioner's office, the orders are part of police efforts to curb the activities of habitual offenders. The detentions are preventive in nature and do not constitute a finding of guilt in the underlying criminal cases.
How the Cases Unfolded
The Immoral Trafficking Prevention Unit first arrested Veeramani on 29 August 2026 on charges of sexually assaulting minor girls. Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan were subsequently arrested on allegations that they had abetted him. All three were remanded in judicial custody. Police later registered two additional cases against Veeramani over allegations that he had driven minor girls to take their own lives — charges that are among the matters still being actively investigated.
Scope of the Investigation
Officers have so far registered four cases under various provisions of law, based on complaints filed by minor girls, their relatives, and others. Investigators are also examining suspicious financial transactions involving Veeramani, though police have not disclosed the amounts involved, the nature of the transactions, or their possible connection to the allegations. Complaints against the accused are reportedly still being received, and officers say they are verifying information as part of the ongoing probe.
WhatsApp Helpline for Victims
To facilitate the collection of information concerning affected minor girls, the police have introduced a dedicated WhatsApp number — 9345319676 — through which people with relevant information can reach investigators. Officers said they have already received five useful pieces of information through this channel and are currently verifying those inputs to establish their relevance to the cases.
Investigations are continuing, and the outcome of the financial-transaction scrutiny is yet to be disclosed by the authorities.
Point of View
The case could extend well beyond the three named accused. The WhatsApp helpline is an unusual but telling move: it suggests investigators believe more victims exist and have not yet come forward. How the courts respond to preventive detention alongside active criminal proceedings will test the procedural limits of Tamil Nadu's preventive-detention framework.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is R. Veeramani and why has he been detained?
R. Veeramani, 84, is the founder of Gem Granites, a major granite company. He was detained under the Goondas Act by order of Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj following his arrest on 29 August 2026 on charges of sexually assaulting minor girls, with police citing allegations of repeated criminal activity and public disorder.
What is the Goondas Act and what does detention under it mean?
The Goondas Act is a preventive detention law used in Tamil Nadu to detain habitual offenders without bail for a defined period. Detention under this law is a preventive measure and does not constitute a finding of guilt in the criminal cases being tried separately.
How many cases have been registered against Veeramani?
Police have registered four cases against Veeramani so far. These include the original charge of sexually assaulting minor girls and two additional cases alleging he drove minor girls to take their own lives. Complaints are reportedly still being received and verified.
Who are Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan and what are they accused of?
Shanthi, 60, and her husband Mahendra Simhan, 63, are associates of Veeramani who were arrested on allegations that they abetted his alleged crimes. They have also been detained under the Goondas Act and are lodged alongside Veeramani at Central Prison, Puzhal.
How can victims or witnesses share information with the police?
Chennai Police have set up a dedicated WhatsApp number — 9345319676 — for people with relevant information about the cases to contact investigators. Officers say they have already received five useful pieces of information through this channel and are verifying them.
