Veeramani POCSO Case: 'Police Was In A Hurry To Close The Case'

The investigation into the POCSO case against Gem Granites founder Veeramani has intensified following the arrest of a fourth suspect, Ganesan, a longtime aide accused of withholding video evidence of sexual assault from the police. Co-accused Shanti, who allegedly managed the house where minor girls were sexually abused and procured victims from economically weaker backgrounds, has released a video projecting herself as a victim and claiming Veeramani made advances toward her when she was a minor. Investigators led by the police are tracking an alleged 70 crore rupees financial trail to determine whether funds were used to influence earlier investigations or attempt a cover-up. The case has sparked political contention between the TVK and DMK, with former law minister Raghupathy stating the earlier case lacked sufficient evidence to proceed at the time. Further inquiries are underway into digital evidence and possible institutional links.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched the expansion of the breakfast scheme at a government school in Thiruvanmiyur, interacting with students and serving them food. Renamed as the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar breakfast scheme, the initiative expands the earlier programme introduced in 2022 by former Chief Minister MK Stalin. While the original scheme catered to students of classes one to five, the expanded project now covers middle school students from classes six to eight across state government schools. An allocation of over Rs 200 crore has been made for the expanded project.

The Crime Branch is investigating the death of an IIT Bombay student named Sahil, scanning CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus grounds, and hostel area to reconstruct the sequence of events. The footage reportedly captures Sahil inside the examination hall, an alleged instance of chatting, claims regarding the use of ChatGPT, and him being escorted out with a professor before walking back towards his hostel. Meanwhile, Sahil's parents have spoken out, alleging persistent caste-based harassment and demanding the immediate arrest of the faculty members named in their First Information Report under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. Highlighting his All India Rank 614 in the entrance examination, the family disputed cheating claims and called for a comprehensive inquiry into the treatment of students from Scheduled Caste backgrounds.

Bihar Police have arrested three minors in connection with the harassment and molestation of a minor girl in Jamui district. The incident took place around 6:30 pm on the evening of 19 September near the Marwa hill area, located roughly three kilometres off the Jamui-Lakhisarai main road, while the students were returning from a coaching class. Following the emergence and circulation of video footage online, police lodged an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the Juvenile Justice Act. A Special Investigation Team has been constituted to conduct a comprehensive probe into the case. Authorities confirmed that seven to eight individuals have been identified, with three apprehended and search operations underway to arrest the remaining suspects, including an older youth seen in the viral video footage. Takedown notices have also been issued by police against the circulated clips.