Chennai, Nov 14 — The Chennai Police on Saturday began digging the backyard of granite businessman R. Veeramani’s residence in Royapettah following a claim by one of his drivers that the bodies of children had been buried there.
The search, which commenced in the morning, is part of an ongoing investigation into multiple cases registered against Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Veeramani is accused of sexually abusing several children. Following the driver’s allegation, the police launched a search of the premises to ascertain whether any bodies had been buried there. However, it was not immediately clear whether the search had led to the recovery of any human remains.
The allegation of bodies being buried at the property remains subject to verification through the search and investigation procedures.
Investigators are also probing the alleged involvement of Veeramani’s former drivers and associates in bringing children to properties linked to him. The role of these individuals is among the key aspects being examined by the special investigation team (SIT) constituted to investigate the cases.
In a separate development in the investigation, the SIT has filed a 720-page chargesheet before the special court dealing with POCSO Act cases.
The chargesheet lists 49 witnesses and relates to one of seven fresh cases registered after the team was formed. Those seven cases were registered on complaints submitted by survivors or their mothers and concern allegations involving nine children. The chargesheet pertains to a case registered on September 27 following a complaint from the mother of a minor survivor.
According to an official statement, two drivers, identified as Parthiban and Babu, allegedly brought the child to a property linked to Veeramani, where he is accused of sexually abusing her.
The SIT has invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in addition to sections of the POCSO Act in that case.
The chargesheet marks a step in the prosecution of the September 27 case, while the wider investigation covers the other complaints and the alleged participation of those associated with Veeramani.
The excavation of the backyard has opened another line of investigation, with its findings expected to establish whether the driver’s claim has any substance. The alleged burial of children and the sexual abuse charges against Veeramani are separate aspects of the probe, both of which will have to be established through evidence.