R Veeramani CHENNAI: The world of a granite baron, who had his corporate footprint in about 22 countries, has now shrunk to a 10X15 feet prison room, a bed, a chair, an English business newspaper and brief walks along a CCTV-monitored corridor at Puzhal prison in Chennai. First arrested on Aug 29 in connection with a child rape case, Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani, 84, is now a Goondas Act detenue facing four child rape cases so far.Veeramani is today Puzhal Central Prison’s VIP inmate housed at the High Security (HS) block, where he is under round-the-clock surveillance. CCTV cameras cover the corridors, entrances and exterior of the block. He has prison intelligence personnel-monitored access to the corridor and interaction with prison staff and inmates.A prison guard stationed before a bank of monitors watches the screens showing different sections of the HS block. When Veeramani steps out of his room, the guard follows his movement on the monitor. And Veeramani steps out only to pick up a newspaper kept beneath a small stone and return to his room.Being an A-class inmate, Veeramani has been accommodated in a room larger than a regular prison cell. He has also been provided with a bed and chair and permitted to receive a newspaper of his choice. Veeramani preferred an English business daily. He was also permitted to receive books cleared by prison authorities.His movement outside his room is limited and he walks along the corridor two or three times a week and rarely interacts with other inmates. His interaction with prison personnel too is muted. Prison officials said Veeramani maintained a low profile inside the prison and appeared withdrawn during his interactions with inmates and staff. He is seen at the prison hospital during routine blood pressure checks and other medical examinations.“We are not providing any special facilities to Veeramani apart from those instructed by the court concerned. He remains stiff and rigid while speaking to the prison staff,” a prison official said.Veeramani had initially been housed in the A-class block located behind the prison hospital. About 15 other inmates were also staying in the block. He was later shifted to the HS block after prison authorities assessed that his safety required greater restrictions on his movement and access. Veeramani’s visitors include his daughter and a few lawyers.Veeramani’ss health is being closely watched by the prison authorities, as he is a heart patient. Prior to his arrest, though he had been given medical advice to go in for a surgery, he opted for medication. He had also been undergoing treatment for diabetes and hypertension.Prison officials said he was taking at least 15 tablets prescribed by his family doctor. In recent days, he developed severe vomiting following stomach upset and was treated in the prison hospital. Additional medicines were prescribed after his health condition worsened a few days ago.Jail officials said they were in an unenviable position, as they would be blamed for the ill-health of Veeramani. At the same time, they cannot extend him additional services or personal assistance, as it would lead to allegations of favouritism or extraneous considerations. “The case has attracted a lot of public attention, and the movements of Veeramani are being watched closely,” another prison official said.According to prison sources, director of prisons and correctional services Sandeep Rai Rathore has instructed that prison personnel who enter the block without authorisation would be shunted out. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai
Prison room, bed, newspaper — That is ‘baron’ Veeramani’s world now
R Veeramani CHENNAI: The world of a granite baron, who had his corporate footprint in about 22 countries, has now shrunk to a 10X15 feet prison room, a bed, a chair, an English business newspaper and brief walks along a CCTV-monitored corridor at Puzhal prison in Chennai. First arrested on Aug 29 in connection with a child rape case, Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani, 84, is now a Goondas Act detenue facing four child rape cases so far.Veeramani is today Puzhal Central Prison’s VIP inmate housed at the High Security (HS) block, where he is under round-the-clock surveillance. CCTV cameras cover the corridors, entrances and exterior of the block. He has prison intelligence personnel-monitored access to the corridor and interaction with prison staff and inmates.A prison guard stationed before a bank of monitors watches the screens showing different sections of the HS block. When Veeramani steps out of his room, the guard follows his movement on the monitor. And Veeramani steps out only to pick up a newspaper kept beneath a small stone and return to his room.Being an A-class inmate, Veeramani has been accommodated in a room larger than a regular prison cell. He has also been provided with a bed and chair and permitted to receive a newspaper of his choice. Veeramani preferred an English business daily. He was also permitted to receive books cleared by prison authorities.His movement outside his room is limited and he walks along the corridor two or three times a week and rarely interacts with other inmates. His interaction with prison personnel too is muted. Prison officials said Veeramani maintained a low profile inside the prison and appeared withdrawn during his interactions with inmates and staff. He is seen at the prison hospital during routine blood pressure checks and other medical examinations.“We are not providing any special facilities to Veeramani apart from those instructed by the court concerned. He remains stiff and rigid while speaking to the prison staff,” a prison official said.Veeramani had initially been housed in the A-class block located behind the prison hospital. About 15 other inmates were also staying in the block. He was later shifted to the HS block after prison authorities assessed that his safety required greater restrictions on his movement and access. Veeramani’s visitors include his daughter and a few lawyers.Veeramani’ss health is being closely watched by the prison authorities, as he is a heart patient. Prior to his arrest, though he had been given medical advice to go in for a surgery, he opted for medication. He had also been undergoing treatment for diabetes and hypertension.Prison officials said he was taking at least 15 tablets prescribed by his family doctor. In recent days, he developed severe vomiting following stomach upset and was treated in the prison hospital. Additional medicines were prescribed after his health condition worsened a few days ago.Jail officials said they were in an unenviable position, as they would be blamed for the ill-health of Veeramani. At the same time, they cannot extend him additional services or personal assistance, as it would lead to allegations of favouritism or extraneous considerations. “The case has attracted a lot of public attention, and the movements of Veeramani are being watched closely,” another prison official said.According to prison sources, director of prisons and correctional services Sandeep Rai Rathore has instructed that prison personnel who enter the block without authorisation would be shunted out. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai
Read the full story at Times of India.
