Chennai: A petition has been moved before the Madras high court seeking a CBI probe into the Chennai city police’s decision to drop further action in a POCSO Act case involving Gem Granites owner Veeramani.
The writ petition, filed by video journalist and Whistle Blowers Activist Trust founder Varaaki, alleges significant lapses, undue influence and claims that illegal gratification amounting to Rs 40 crore was paid to shut down the probe.
The case was registered on October 7, 2025, by the Immoral Traffic Prevention Unit (ITPU) under the Pocso Act. The FIR followed a complaint lodged by S. Praveena Solomon, who had received an office parcel containing a pen drive and an explanatory letter.
The footage in the drive allegedly depicted Veeramani sexually abusing a girl, who appeared to be a minor, in the bedroom of his acquaintance, Shanthi. Veeramani and Shanthi were subsequently named as accused.
However, on February 18, 2026, the investigating agency closed the file under ‘further action dropped’. According to the final report submitted by the then assistant commissioner of police, Yasmin, the video dated back to 2019, and a forensic check of the DVR at the suspected site yielded no matching footage due to a six-year lapse.
Police cited their inability to identify or trace the minor girl, the lack of corroborating physical evidence at the scene, and denials by both accused during interrogation under section 35(3) of the BNSS. Statements from neighbours and staff that outsiders were barred from entering the residence were also relied upon to wind down proceedings.
Varaaki submitted that the investigation was prematurely shelved without exhausting critical scientific avenues. The state police failed to conduct forensic facial comparison or anthropological analyses to verify Veeramani’s denial of his presence in the video, he said.
He alleged `40 crore changed hands to derail the investigation and points toward interference by senior police leadership, including the then Commissioner A. Arun. As allegations touch the top hierarchy of the state police, only an agency outside the state’s administrative fold can guarantee institutional independence, he said.
The matter is expected to be taken up for hearing shortly.
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