Granite Industry Influence, Government Links and Sexual Exploitation Allegations

Chennai Police have arrested Ganesan, a former long-time employee of Gem Granites founder Veeramani, in connection with an ongoing POCSO investigation. Ganesan was taken into custody and remanded to Puzhal Central Prison for failing to report digital evidence of sexual abuse of a minor found on his mobile phone. Authorities are probing the origin of the video and investigating a suspected 70-crore-rupee money trail allegedly used to suppress the crime.

In an interview on the tragic death by suicide of student Sahil at IIT Bombay, Professor Rajkumar Pant of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum firmly defended his colleague, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. Pant stated that the faculty forum stands with Doolla, explaining that he was merely performing his duties in reporting academic malpractice. He clarified that Doolla has not been suspended but has temporarily stepped aside from his deanship while an inquiry is conducted. Pant highlighted that the SC/ST cell of IIT Bombay has no record of any past complaint by the deceased student against any faculty member. While acknowledging the competitive pressures and tragic loss of student lives, he emphasized that faculty members follow established institutional rules without caste bias and appealed for public judgment to be withheld until official inquiries conclude.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has departed for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, setting up a high-stakes diplomatic face-off with the United States. During his address, Pezeshkian is expected to highlight the casualties in Minab and Lahaj, specifically condemning an apparent US missile strike that killed over 100 schoolchildren. He vowed to challenge what he described as unjust actions by the US-Israel Western alliance and address the ongoing hostility in West Asia. The assembly takes place amid heightened regional tensions as US President Donald Trump is also scheduled to deliver an address to global leaders at the UN General Assembly.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed the state DGP to form an investigative team to probe allegations against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena, and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas based on an ED report. The inquiry centres on the CMRL monthly payments controversy, where Veena and her firm Exalogic allegedly received 2.78 crore rupees without rendering services. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office has already filed a preliminary report in an Ernakulam district court charging Veena and top CMRL officials.