Chennai: Gem Granites founder Veeramani, along with two of his associates, was detained under the stringent Goondas Act, the police said on Thursday. Veeramani had been arrested by the Central Crime Branch in a POCSO case for allegedly sexually abusing minor girls.
The case was subsequently taken up for investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Tamil Nadu Police.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) announced that Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan, who assisted Veeramani, have also been detained under the Goondas Act. The trio was earlier arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
They are among 14 accused people detained under the Goondas Act on the orders of Chennai City Police Commissioner A Amalraj. The crackdown is aimed at curbing habitual criminal activities and maintaining public order in the metropolis.
The other 11 individuals were detained for their involvement in recent murder, attempt to murder, and narcotics cases across the city.
In connection with the September 5 public murder of a man by unidentified knife-wielding persons in the Vannanthurai area, five accused were detained under the J-5 Shastri Nagar police limits. Two individuals were detained in separate attempt to murder cases registered in the North Beach and Kodungaiyur areas respectively.
In addition, three persons were detained for drug-related offenses.
All 14 accused persons have been lodged in prison following the detention orders.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)