Archana, the daughter of Gem Group of Companies chairman R Veeramani, was detained by authorities on Friday shortly before her scheduled departure to Singapore. Officials from the Central Crime Branch’s (CCB) Special Investigation Team (SIT) intercepted the 48-year-old at the airport as she prepared to board her flight, which had been set for a 2:20 pm departure.
According to people aware of the matter, the SIT members alerted the airline crew to the situation, ensuring that Archana was disembarked safely before the flight proceeded with its journey. She is currently being questioned by investigators who had been monitoring her movements in connection with an expansive probe into her father’s business and personal conduct. Archana, who is understood to have been actively managing the operations of the granite business group across various locations in India, remains in custody for further interrogation.
The detention marks a significant development in the broader criminal case against R Veeramani, who is currently lodged at the Puzhal Central Prison near Chennai. Veeramani, a prominent granite baron, was arrested on August 29, 2026, alongside his associate Shanthi and her husband, Mahandra Simhan. The investigation gained traction in October 2025 following the discovery of a pen drive containing video evidence that allegedly depicted the sexual assault of a minor girl by the businessman.
The criminal investigation, which has expanded significantly over the past year, is being conducted by a Special Investigation Team established specifically to address allegations of sexual crimes involving minor girls. The CCB has registered a total of seven separate cases against Veeramani based on formal complaints filed by victims. Authorities report that they have successfully recorded statements from 11 minor girls who have come forward as part of the ongoing judicial process.
The web of arrests surrounding the Gem Group chairman has widened considerably in recent weeks. Following the initial arrest of Veeramani and his alleged accomplices in August, investigators apprehended Ganesan, a former employee, on September 22. He is accused of possessing sensitive video evidence related to the crimes but failing to report the matter to law enforcement officials. Subsequently, on October 5, three of Veeramani’s drivers—identified as Lazer, Parthiban, and Babu—were taken into custody for their alleged roles in transporting victims. A manager named Shaktivel was also arrested recently, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to eight.
The background of the case is further complicated by allegations of internal conflict. Prior to her own arrest, Shanthi had released a video on August 29 in which she claimed that she faced a potential threat to her life originating from R Veeramani and his son, Siddharth. While the investigation continues to probe these claims, the detention of Archana suggests that the authorities are casting a wide net to ensure all potential evidence and individuals associated with the business empire are accounted for.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus of the Special Investigation Team remains on finalizing the evidence against the eight arrested individuals. The authorities have not yet specified the exact nature of the charges Archana might face, only confirming that she is currently under questioning. The case has drawn significant attention due to the high profile of the Gem Group and the gravity of the allegations involving multiple minor victims.
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