Deputy commissioner of police V V Geethanjali has sought to recuse herself from the Special Investigation Team probing cases against granite businessman R Veeramani, who was arrested in connection with a child rape case, according to police sources cited by the Times of India.
Geethanjali conveyed her request to SIT head P C Thenmozhi and Chennai city commissioner of police A Amalraj. She was one of four officers appointed to the all-women SIT constituted by Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal on September 24.
The other members of the team are Deputy Inspector General N Disha Mittal and Superintendent of Police J Mutharasi. The report did not state whether a replacement for Geethanjali had been appointed or whether the SIT’s structure would otherwise change.
In her communication, Geethanjali referred to her earlier involvement in the case. She had previously served in the Central Crime Branch and was involved in handling the matter during the earlier investigation. Her request to step aside comes after the Special POCSO Court rejected a closure report submitted by the Anti-Vice Squad and ordered further investigation.
The Anti-Vice Squad subsequently arrested Veeramani and two associates on August 29. The three were remanded in judicial custody, according to the report. The arrests followed the court’s direction for further investigation after it declined to accept the closure report.
Geethanjali has since proceeded on leave, citing personal reasons. She was not available for comment. The report did not provide details of the SIT’s next steps following her request or indicate when a decision on her recusal would be formally announced.
