The investigation into a POCSO case involving alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in Chennai has widened to include questioning of serving and former senior police officials, according to a report by Dinamalar. Investigators are examining why an earlier complaint was closed after police recorded that sufficient evidence was unavailable.
Seven people, including Granite Veeramani, his associate Shanthi, 61, and her husband Mahendra Simhan, 63, have been arrested in connection with the case, the report said. The cases are being investigated by a special investigation team of the police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The earlier complaint against Veeramani, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan was reportedly raised during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government. A POCSO case was registered at the time but was later closed on the stated ground that evidence could not be found. The current investigation is examining how that decision was reached and whether the complaint was handled appropriately.
According to Dinamalar, investigators have questioned Arun, who was Chennai police commissioner at the time and later served as an additional director general of police. Statements were also obtained from Kannan and Radhika, who were then additional commissioners and inspector generals, and Vanitha, who served as deputy commissioner in the unit dealing with crimes against women and children.
The report said Arun was questioned about the manner in which the investigation into the POCSO complaint was handled. Kannan, Radhika and Vanitha were reportedly asked why action was not taken despite information that minor girls had allegedly been subjected to sexual abuse. The report did not include responses from the named officers to the allegations or details of any findings against them.
The investigation has also expanded into alleged financial transfers involving police officers and others, the report said, citing police sources. Documents are reportedly being examined in connection with the sale of assets valued at around Rs 147 crore during the period when the earlier POCSO investigation was closed. Dinamalar reported that investigators were examining allegations that up to Rs 40 crore may have been transferred to police officials and others. These financial allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established by a court in the material available.
The case places the focus not only on the allegations against the arrested individuals but also on the institutional process through which complaints involving children are registered, investigated and closed. The questioning of officials is intended to establish the decisions taken during the earlier inquiry, the evidence considered and whether required action was omitted. The special investigation team is continuing its inquiry into the arrests, the earlier closure of the complaint and the alleged financial transactions.
