Chennai: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sexual abuse of minor girls by granite baron ‘Gem’ Veeramani registered a seventh case against him on Sunday following a complaint from another girl. Police also arrested his manager, Sakthivel, for helping him evade legal action.Police said complaints involving 11 minor girls have so far emerged in the investigation. The latest case was registered based on the statement of another survivor, who told investigators that the offence took place at the residence of Shanthi, a woman associate of Veeramani.Police searched Veeramani’s residence on Lloyds Road, his farmhouse in Kanathur, and the office of Chamundeeswari Natural Stone. Investigators seized key evidence related to the cases.Sakthivel was arrested on Oct 18. Police are examining his financial transactions to determine whether money was used to help Veeramani escape legal proceedings.The case came to light after Greater Chennai Police’s Anti-Vice Squad received a pen drive containing videos purportedly showing sexual offences involving minor girls. Based on the evidence, police arrested Veeramani and his associates Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan on Aug 29.Another accused, Ganesan, was arrested on Sept 22 for possessing a video related to the offences and failing to inform police. He was subsequently lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.Further investigation revealed that three drivers, Lasar, Parthiban and Babu, had transported minor girls to locations where Veeramani sexually abused them. The three were arrested on Oct 5 and remanded in judicial custody.Police said Veeramani was also taken into custody for two days for questioning in connection with the second case registered against him. He was subsequently sent back to prison.Officials said further inquiries were underway into the complaints involving 11 minor girls and the roles of others suspected of facilitating the offences.
