Veeramani POCSO Case | Chargesheet In First FIR Will Be Filed In 3 Weeks: Police Tells Madras High Court
The Tamil Nadu police has informed the Madras High Court that the chargesheet in the first FIR that was registered in connection with the POCSO case involving granite baron Veeramani would be filed within 3 weeks, likely before November 10.
State Public Prosecutor John Sathyan made the submission before Justice V Lakshminarayanan when the latter enquired about the progress of the investigation being carried out by the Special Investigation Team.
The court was hearing a petition filed by investigative journalist Varaaki, in connection with the offence. Varaaki had initially approached the court seeking a CBI probe in the case. He had argued that high-ranking officials were involved in the case, and raised an apprehension that the SIT would not carry the investigation independently & effectively, necessitating a probe by an independent agency.
The court had however refused to order a CBI probe, remarking that SIT formed by the TN Government should be given a breathing time to collect all evidence in connection with the case. The court had orally remarked that investigation takes time, especially in a case like the present one and the police did not have a magic wand or crystal ball to collect all evidence at once.
The public prosecutor had also informed the court that the SIT has been issuing press releases and also submitted that it would file a status report before the court indicating the progress made by the SIT.
In pursuance of this submission, when the case was again taken up today, the court was informed that the chargesheet in the first case was almost ready and would be filed within 3 weeks.
Meanwhile, Varaaki had filed an additional affidavit in the case claiming that immediately prior to the earlier Action Drop Report against Veeramani, he had transacted a huge value of money, around Rs. 147 crore. Varaaki also alleged that IPS officer Arun had utilised some of these illegal gratifications for purchasing gold valued at approximately Rs 24 crore. He submitted that the circumstances surrounding the transfer of funds, the identities of the persons who arranged and facilitated the transactions, the source of the funds utilised for gold purchase, the mode of payment and the ultimate beneficial ownership of the assets acquired warrant a thorough and independent investigation.
The court, however, perused the status report of investigation and noted that the police had already taken note of the fact and has been conducting investigations.
After considering the status report, the court adjourned the hearing to November 10, 2026.