The Tamil Nadu police has invoked Goondas Act against Gem Group of Companies Chairman, R Veeramani, as the special investigation team (SIT) lodged a fourth case against him for alleged sexual assault of minor girls, police said on Thursday.
In an order, the Greater Chennai Police commissioner A Amalraj invoked ‘Goondas Act’ against him and other accused in the case Mahendra Simhan and Shanthi, who allegedly arranged girls for him. However, the accused can challenge the order in the high court. Veeramani, was arrested under Pocso in August and three of his associates — Ganeshan, a former employee; Shanthi, and her husband Mahandra Simhan, who allegedly played key roles in abuse of minors, have also been arrested.
The Goondas Act empowers the State to detain a person without trial for 12 months. The SIT statement said that four accused R Veeramani, 84, Shanthi 60, her husband Mahendra Simhan 63 and Kamalesh (alias Ganeshan) 42 were arrested. Veeramani, Shanthi and Simhan are currently in police custody until October 8. Ganeshan who worked for 23 years at Gem Granites and is currently employed at another private firm, was arrested on September 22 for having a video on his mobile phone showing Veeramani acting inappropriately with a young girl and failing to report it to the police. As of Wednesday, the police have registered two (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) POCSO Act against Veeramani and others.
“Including complaints lodged by the affected young girls and their relatives, a total of 4 cases have been registered so far under various legal sections and are currently under investigation,” an official release.
