Chennai: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has searched five premises linked to Gem Granites businessman R Veeramani and his associates in connection with a POCSO case involving the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls, seizing mobile phones, physical documents and electronic evidence, police said on Thursday.

The searches were conducted on September 23 at locations linked to Veeramani, including his offices in Gopalapuram and his residence in T Nagar.

The case originated from a complaint filed in 2025 by a volunteer associated with a Chennai-based NGO. An unidentified person had handed over a pen drive containing video footage allegedly showing an elderly man engaging in a sexually explicit act with a minor girl at the residence of an associate, identified as Shanthi.

Following an investigation by the CCB's anti-vice squad, the suspect was identified as Veeramani, head of Gem Granites.

On August 29, 2026, police arrested Veeramani, 84, along with his alleged accomplices, Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The preliminary investigation indicated that several minor girls had allegedly been brought to the house and sexually abused by Veeramani.

The three accused were subsequently produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Investigators have also recorded statements from identified survivors before a Judicial Magistrate following the arrests.

On September 22, police arrested another suspect, Ganesan, who had worked at Veeramani's company for 23 years. He was accused of withholding the incriminating video without informing law enforcement authorities and was remanded to Puzhal Central Prison.

Based on Ganesan's confession during interrogation, CCB teams carried out searches at five locations the following day.

Police said mobile phones, physical documents and electronic evidence were seized during the operation. Further investigation is underway based on the materials recovered.

Investigators are also examining whether monetary transactions and land transfers took place between certain business entities and Veeramani in an alleged attempt to conceal crucial evidence and obstruct the investigation, police said.