Tamil Nadu Congress leader says he told Chennai Police about Veeramani scandal two years ago

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R. Veeramani. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

In a twist to the sensational child sexual abuse case allegedly involving Gem Granites owner R. Veeramani, a Congress leader on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) said he had informed the Chennai Police about the crime as early as in November 2024.

The following month, he had also shared with the police a video clip in which a man resembling the octogenarian business magnate was seen abusing a minor girl.

“I met a senior police officer at the Chennai Police Commissionerate in Egmore on November 22, 2024, and submitted a written complaint (dated November 21), seeking action against Veeramani and his associate Shanthi (both now in custody). I also attached screenshots from the video clip,” M.P. Ranjan Kumar, president, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s Scheduled Caste Department, said.

He shared with The Hindu a copy of the complaint, which he claimed he had handed over to the senior police officer, as well as screenshots of his conversation with the officer on WhatsApp, seeking his appointment to discuss the issue.

A copy of the complaint that M.P. Ranjan Kumar, president, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s Scheduled Caste Department, claims he handed over to a senior police officer. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A copy of the complaint that M.P. Ranjan Kumar claims he handed over to a senior police officer. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mr. Kumar’s claim contradicts the Chennai Police’s statement that they had received a complaint and a pen drive of the video of the sexual abuse through an NGO only in October 2025.

“The senior officer assured me that action would be taken after conferring with the then Police Commissioner. On November 25, 2024, an Inspector from the Anti-Vice Squad sought information related to the case. On December 17, 2024, I sent him (Inspector) the video clip. Thereafter, I was repeatedly asked if I knew the victims seen in the video. I did not know them, but I insisted that if the police could summon Veeramani and Shanthi or conduct a surprise raid at their homes, they would be able to retrieve more evidence,” he said. Mr. Kumar alleged that the police, however, gradually stopped correspondence with him on the case.

The Congress leader said he was disclosing this as some vested interests were seeking to link him with the scandal, and the police, too, had not acknowledged his role and were now seeking to push back the case by a year, claiming they had received a complaint only last year.

In his complaint, Mr. Kumar had alleged: “Gem Granites proprietor, Veeramani, had been frequenting the residence of Shanthi and had been preying on girl children aged between 14 and 16, particularly belonging to oppressed and minority communities. I had been given the possession of videos that show sexual acts performed by him on girl children...”

He had lodged the complaint “in the hope that the children would be protected”.

When asked how he got hold of the video, Mr. Kumar claimed that Shanthi, with whom he was acquainted in the course of real estate business, had in August 2024 sought his help claiming she was being threatened by a political party’s founder, influential in certain southern districts, due to a “misconception” about her financial dealings with Veeramani.

Mr. Kumar then organised a meeting with the politician at an upscale hotel in Chennai, where the latter used “harsh language” at Shanthi, alleging that she was extorting Veeramani. “I realised something wasn’t right at that moment,” he said.

Take strict action in sexual assault allegations against R. Veeramani, AIDWA urges T.N. government

Later on, Mr. Kumar claimed, he met Shanthi at her home near Poes Garden, where she reportedly tried to explain her relationship with Veeramani and played the video featuring Veeramani engaging in obscene acts on her television.

“I took a video of what was playing on the television and immediately sought counsel with my lawyers on how to take this forward legally. Thereafter, I approached the police,” he said.

Mr. Kumar said he was aghast that he was being slandered over the issue. “I am ready to co-operate fully with the police to ensure justice for the victims,” he said.

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