“R Veeramani is senior-most exporter of granite in India, he is having offices in 86 countries… he’s a top-most businessman… one of the finest gentlemen supporting this movement (sic).”
This gushing introduction to R Veeramani was made at a 2017 World Tamil Economic Conference in Durban by its president, VRS Sampath, and is typical of the public image the businessman used to enjoy: a pioneer of the country’s granite export sector, a well-networked entrepreneur, the head of multiple industry chambers and a member of government bodies. His arrest in late August exposed a much darker side: the octogenarian now stands accused of sexually assaulting a minor. After his arrest, more survivors, mostly from marginalised backgrounds, have come forward with similar accusations against him and the police have widened the probe.
