The Central Crime Branch of Tamil Nadu police on Monday registered a fresh case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against granite baron R Veeramani, officials said. The case was filed after a woman alleged that Veeramani sexually assaulted her minor daughter. The allegation is unproven, and the material provided includes no response from Veeramani or his representatives. The development comes while Veeramani is already in custody. It adds a new complaint to a matter that police are continuing to investigate, with the help of information they have asked the public to provide.

The mother appeared in person at the offices of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Chennai on Monday to file her complaint. That she approached the team directly suggests the SIT is the body handling the wider investigation, though the source does not spell out its remit. The source does not say when the alleged incident took place, the age of the child, or which specific charges have been recorded. In keeping with standard practice and Indian law on child protection, this report does not identify the child or the complainant, and it carries no detail that could lead to their identification.

Veeramani is currently in custody, along with alleged accomplices Ganeshan, Shanthi and her husband Mahandra Simhan. The source does not say what earlier case or cases the men were arrested in connection with, when they were taken into custody, or what role each is alleged to have played. It also does not say whether they have been named in the fresh complaint. Readers should not assume that the new allegation involves anyone other than Veeramani, the only person the source identifies as the subject of the complaint. The description of the others as alleged accomplices is the police account, and none of the four is reported to have been convicted.

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In a press release, the state police appealed to the public to share any relevant information, facts or documents pertaining to the case through the WhatsApp number 9345319676. Police said all informants will remain confidential. The release added that all information received would be investigated and prompt action would be taken. The appeal indicates that investigators are seeking to broaden their inquiry beyond the complaints already received. The promise of confidentiality is likely aimed at people who may be reluctant to come forward in person. The source does not say how many people have responded so far, or whether the appeal relates to this fresh case, to the earlier proceedings, or to both.

The registration of a fresh case does not by itself establish that the allegation is true. A complaint leads to an investigation, and any charges must then be tested in court. The source does not say whether Veeramani has been formally arrested in the new case, whether investigators have recorded the child's statement, or when he may be produced in court. Cases under the POCSO Act generally involve specialised procedures for handling child complainants, but the source does not describe which of these apply here. Veeramani's response has not been reported in the material provided, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Further details are likely to emerge as investigators examine the complaint and any information received from the public. Police may say more about the charges, the timeline of the alleged offence and the status of the earlier proceedings. Until then, what is established is limited: a complaint was filed on Monday, a fresh case was registered, Veeramani is in custody, and police have opened a confidential channel for information. Any update on his custody status or court appearance would be significant. Anyone with relevant information has been asked to use the number the police provided.

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