As the Gem Granites founder R Veeramani’s sexual assault case gets momentum and limelight in the media, old videos and statements have started surfacing on social media.
In an undated video of the POCSO accused is heard speaking about secularism, caste, religious discrimination, corruption and political manifestos has surfaced.
In the video, Veeramani, who identifies himself as a lawyer by profession, questions political parties over their repeated promise to create a society free from caste and religious discrimination, while asking what concrete roadmap exists to achieve it.
He is heard saying, “I am a lawyer by profession. In tamil they say, in all parties they say, “Let us establish a society free from caste and religious discrimination.” How? What is the roadmap? How and when? No one has mentioned that. Is there any election manifesto of any party saying we will touch see that anybody takes bribe money or corruption or favouritism or nepotism, we will not allow. Has any party declared it so far? I don’t know. Can any one of you see any election manifesto. So why are we not doing that? Therefore there’s a long way to go…”
Gem Granites owner R. Veeramani, 84, spoke about secularism.
He is a lawyer by profession and a self-styled businessman.
He is a native of Namakkal and was once part of the legal wing of a powerful political party; he is no longer affiliated with any political party. He was… pic.twitter.com/CTSfotSsIs
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) September 21, 2026
Veeramani is a native of Namakkal and was previously associated with the legal wing of a political party. He is no longer affiliated with any political party. He was also drawn to the Dravidianist ideology of E.V. Ramasamy.
The video has resurfaced alongside a 2023 article authored by Veeramani in The Modern Rationalist, the publication founded by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and published by the Dravidar Kazhagam.
Glowing Tribute To DK Chief K Veeramani
In the article, titled “Asiriyar in the Footprints of Thanthai Periyar,” Veeramani wrote glowingly about Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani.
He described K. Veeramani as, “Asiriyar Viduthalai K. Veeramani is a well-known social leader taking up the causes of the downtrodden, socially and economically weaker sections…”
He further described him as, “a follower of Thanthai Periyar, who used to wear black shirt, till he joined DMK and became an activist.”
R. Veeramani also recounted his own family’s association with Periyar’s movement, writing, “My father, the late Mr SP Rangaswami of Tiruchengodu, (former Salem District, presently Namakkal district) was a rationalist deeply involving himself as a follower of Thanthai Periyar, who used to wear black shirt, till he joined DMK and became an activist. Later he contested election from Tiruchengodu Constituency to represent as MLA. Mr EVK Sampath, was an MP candidate along with my father and he contested as an MP candidate in the DMK in the Namakkal district and won the election.”
He also recalled, “My father used to have a souvenir of Thanthai Periyar in our study room, when I was a kid, studying in the primary school.”
The article appeared in the Annual Number 2023 of The Modern Rationalist and identified R. Veeramani as Chairman of the GEM Group of Companies.
The timing of this revelation is significant. While R. Veeramani was publicly projecting himself as a patron of the Dravidian movement in the pages of The Modern Rationalist, video evidence of him sexually abusing minor girls was reportedly obtained as early as October of the following year. Despite a complaint being filed with the Chennai Police Commissioner’s office, no immediate action was taken, leading to allegations of a cover-up. It was only last month that Veeramani was finally arrested, along with his associates Shanthi and her husband Simhan.
During interrogation, investigators confirmed that over 10 minor girls were sexually assaulted. The abuse allegedly took place at an office in Thenampet, operated by Shanthi, who reportedly lured the girls to the location. The interrogation further revealed that several other industrialists were involved in the abuse.
The delay in police action has sparked serious questions. Sources indicate that a senior police official received a bribe of over ₹5 crore to bury the case. Additionally, it is alleged that Veeramani sold a property in the ECR region to fund the cover-up and paid off police officials to avoid arrest.
VIT Board Member
Adding to the controversy is Veeramani’s public profile. The VIT website confirms that he serves as a member of the “Planning and Monitoring Board” for the institution, listed alongside the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and other senior academic officials.
Amid mounting public pressure, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has intervened directly, holding a three-day consultation with top officials, including the DGP, the Chennai Police Commissioner, the ADGP (Law and Order), and the Chief Secretary. The Chief Minister has ordered a thorough investigation to identify all industrialists complicit in the abuse, the police officials who failed to act or received bribes, and any political leaders who may have provided protection to the accused.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
