Chennai, Nov 14: Chennai Police on Saturday began digging the backyard of granite businessman R. Veeramani's residence in Royapettah following a claim that the bodies of children had been buried there. The search, which began in the morning, is part of the investigation into multiple cases registered against Veeramani under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in which he is accused of sexually abusing several children. The allegations are yet to be proved in court.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

Reports differ on who made the burial claim. IANS reported that the claim was made by one of Veeramani's drivers, while The Hindu reported that the search was based on a statement given by a survivor in court that a minor girl was buried at the house a few years ago. Police had not confirmed whether the excavation had led to the recovery of any human remains, and the burial allegation remains subject to verification through the search and the investigation.

Source: The Hindu via ScoopFeeds

The excavation is a new line of inquiry in a case that widened this week. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cases has filed a 720-page chargesheet before the special court for POCSO cases, listing 49 witnesses and relating to one of seven fresh cases registered after the team was formed. In that case, registered on September 27, the SIT has invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in addition to the POCSO Act.

Awaaz Punjab reported earlier this week that the SIT's first chargesheet in the case also named seven police officers. Read the chargesheet report

Veeramani was arrested in the case earlier and remains an accused; all charges against him and the other accused remain allegations until decided by the court. Awaaz Punjab is not naming or identifying any minor in this case.