No bail for Veeramani's alleged aides: Chennai POCSO court cites pending forensics, flight risk

Chennai's Special POCSO Court on Wednesday rejected the bail applications of Shanti, 60, and her husband Mahendra Simhan, 63, the two alleged associates of Gem Granites proprietor R. Veeramani arrested in the alleged child-abuse case that has shaken Tamil Nadu's industrial and political establishment.

Judge S. Padma turned down the pleas after the prosecution argued that the investigation was still at an early stage, that electronic devices seized from the accused were still awaiting forensic examination, and that the couple posed a risk of witness intimidation and flight.

Shanti and Simhan were arrested on August 28 and 29 respectively, alongside the 84-year-old Veeramani, one of the biggest names in the granite industry. Police allege the couple played a key role in the alleged racket — Shanti is accused of receiving a large sum from Veeramani, allegedly to destroy evidence, with money also said to have been transferred to Simhan. Reported figures differ across outlets, and the court has not pronounced on the amounts.

The prosecution told the court that the alleged survivors had not yet been formally identified and that witness statements were still being recorded. It opposed bail on the ground that the accused could tamper with evidence and intimidate witnesses while the probe was still unfolding.

The case goes back to October 7, 2025, when an FIR was registered after a pen drive was handed to the police. A closure report filed later was rejected by the POCSO court, which ordered a fresh investigation — leading to the August arrests. The CB-CID has since summoned three police officers, including an assistant commissioner and two inspectors, over the earlier closure.

In a related development, the Madras High Court recently refused to transfer the probe to the CBI, holding that the Special Investigation Team should be given "breathing time". The court orally noted the sensitivity of the case, with some of the alleged survivors said to be from SC/ST communities.

Note: The Justice withholds the names of survivors; none have been identified in court records so far.