As the investigation into the horrific sexual abuse of minor girls by granite businessman R. Veeramani deepens, a two-year-old magazine article has surfaced, revealing the accused’s own words praising a prominent Dravidian movement leader. The article, published in the Annual Number 2023 issue of The Modern Rationalist, was authored by none other than R. Veeramani himself, the Chairman of the GEM Group of Companies.
“Asiriyar in the Footprints of Thanthai Periyar,” appears on page 155 of the publication, which was founded by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and is published by the Dravidar Kazhagam. In the biographical tribute, Gem Granites Veeramani, now the prime accused in a case involving the alleged rape of over ten minor girls, writes glowingly of K. Veeramani, the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam.
He writes: “Asiriyar Viduthalai K. Veeramani is a well-known social leader taking up the causes of the downtrodden, socially and economically weaker sections…” He goes on to describe the DK leader as “a follower of Thanthai Periyar, who used to wear black shirt, till he joined DMK and became an activist.”
He further writes, “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 DMK in the Namakkal district and won the election.”
R. Veeramani also recounts a personal anecdote in the article, writing: “My father used to have a souvenir of Thanthai Periyar in our study room, when I was a kid, studying in the primary school.”
When R Veeramani the pedophile praised K .Veeramani of Dravidar kazhagam in his article in 2023. pic.twitter.com/gz9m575tEz
— Shalin Maria Lawrence (@ShalinSpeaks) September 21, 2026
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.
Adding to the controversy is Veeramani’s public profile. A document from 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.
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