Directors Vetrimaaran and Ameer issued a joint statement on Sunday, September 27, condemning the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls by Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani and called for an impartial investigation without any pressure.
The directors said the crimes against the girls were “shocking” and “unforgivable” and demanded that everyone who attempted to protect Veeramani be thoroughly investigated and punished under the law.
They also called for the survivors to be provided with legal and psychological counselling and social rehabilitation, while stressing that their identities and dignity must be protected.
Addressing criticism that they had remained silent on the issue until now, Vetrimaaran and Ameer said in their statement: “Whoever commits sexual offences, our voice will always be raised against them.”
They also called for stringent punishment for sexual offenders without any concessions and said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Veeramani case should conduct its probe honestly and without being subjected to pressure.
The case came to light in October 2025, when a child rights volunteer approached the Chennai police with a pen drive containing a video that purportedly showed a minor girl being sexually assaulted. The person who submitted the video alleged that the man seen in the footage was Veeramani. An FIR was registered on October 7, 2025. The video reportedly carried a 2019 CCTV timestamp.
The police subsequently sought to close the case in February 2026, citing difficulties in identifying and locating the girl and due to lack of sufficient evidence. However, the Special POCSO Court rejected the closure report and ordered a fresh investigation.
On September 24, the Tamil Nadu Police constituted a four-member, all-women SIT to investigate the case and related allegations. The SIT is headed by Additional Commissioner of Police PC Thenmozhi, with Joint Commissioner Disha Mittal and Superintendents of Police J Mutharasi and VV Geethanjali as members.
The formation of the SIT came on the same day that senior police officials A Arun and N Kannan were placed on compulsory wait, while Assistant Commissioner MA Yasmin was transferred to the Chief Office Vacancy Reserve, over lapses in the investigation.