Veeramani POCSO Case: Police Move to Freeze Absconding Aide's Passport
Police move to impound the passport of absconding businessman N Prakash in the Gem Granite industrialist Veeramani POCSO case.
The Tamil Nadu police have initiated steps to freeze the passport of businessman N Prakash, an associate of Gem Granite industrialist Veeramani, who has allegedly fled the country to evade investigation in a series of POCSO cases. The move comes as authorities intensify their efforts to bring the absconding suspect back to India to face charges related to the cover-up of heinous crimes.
The Hunt for N Prakash
In an official press statement, the police revealed that N Prakash played a critical role in assisting Veeramani in attempts to conceal the crimes. Because Prakash has already left Indian shores, the police are now working to impound his passport. To ensure no other suspects escape the law, a Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued, alerting border authorities to prevent any individuals associated with the cases against Veeramani from fleeing abroad.
A Web of Allegations and Arrests
The investigation has already seen significant action, with eight individuals, including the primary accused, Veeramani, currently lodged in Puzhal Central Prison. The scale of the investigation is vast, with eight separate cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Recent developments in the crackdown include:
- October 28 Arrests: Police arrested Veeramani in connection with three specific cases. Simultaneously, Shanthi, Mahendra Simhan, and Lazar were apprehended in another related case.
- Evidence Recovery: Authorities conducted raids at the premises of another accused, Ganesh, in Konathur, where relevant evidence was seized to strengthen the prosecution's case.
- Strict Measures: The Goondas Act was invoked in October against R Veeramani, Shanthi, and Mahendra Simhan, reflecting the severity of the charges.
How the Scandal Unfolded
The disturbing details of the case first surfaced following the recovery of a pen drive. The device contained videos documenting sexual offences, which provided the initial breakthrough leading to Veeramani's apprehension. Given the gravity of the evidence, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the orders of the Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF) of Tamil Nadu to conduct a thorough probe.
What Happens Next?
The police have confirmed that further investigations are currently underway. With the evidence gathered from recent raids and the ongoing efforts to extradite N Prakash, authorities stated that a formal chargesheet will be filed in court soon.