Charge sheet in Veeramani Pocso case before Nov 10, Madras HC told

CHENNAI: The Special Investigation Team is expected to file the charge sheet in the first FIR in the Pocso case involving granite baron R Veeramani before November 10, the Madras High Court was informed on Monday.

State Public Prosecutor R John Sathyan informed Justice V Lakshminarayanan that the charge sheet would be filed within three weeks.

YouTuber Varaaki and advocate ML Ravi had approached the court seeking a transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation, apprehending that the SIT might not conduct an independent investigation. In his plea, Varaaki submitted that high-ranking officials were involved and sought to ascertain whether there had been any interference, improper influence, or financial or other consideration affecting the probe. He also sought to ascertain whether the pen drive had been properly preserved and forensically examined, and whether any relevant investigative leads had been omitted, disregarded or prematurely abandoned.

When the matter came up for hearing, the SIT filed its second status report detailing the progress of the probe.

Meanwhile, Varaaki filed an additional affidavit stating that properties connected with GEM Granites, valued at Rs 147.87 crore, were transferred on February 2 and 5, shortly before the filing of the Action Drop Report on February 18. He further alleged that Arun, IPS, purchased gold worth approximately Rs 24 crore from GRT Jewellery in Chennai, using funds received as illegal gratification in connection with the closure of the criminal case against Veeramani. He alleged that the funds were routed through Prakash Kannaiyan, who reportedly left India and has remained absconding since further investigation commenced.

Varaaki submitted that the transactions, the source of funds, the persons involved and the ownership of the gold warranted an independent investigation. He sought an examination of the purchase bills, payment records, bank statements and other financial documents to ascertain whether the suspected proceeds of illegal gratification had been converted into valuable assets to conceal their origin and ownership.

After perusing the status report, the court adjourned the hearing to November 10.