Madras High Court denied anticipatory bail to suspended Inspector Sheela Mary,accused in financial fraud with cops and others. Justice C. Kumarappan dismissed her plea,prosecutors firmly opposed it.
Mary,her driver Prabhu Mani,and his associates allegedly lured investors with gold and cheap plot promises . Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Chennai is investigating,spurred by S. Venkatraman,a bank manager. He claims he put ₹89.32 lakh into Vinayaga Enterprises,allegedly Mani's operation.
Complaint details how Venkatraman,managing Royapuram branch from 2023 to 2025,was swayed by a Sub Inspector to invest. This officer claimed Mary's brother offered high returns on gold coins,₹1,400 below market rate . Venkatraman met Mary at station,she vouched deal was exclusive for police,said he qualified as his father was retired Sub Inspector .
Convinced,Venkatraman took loans,pledged wife's jewelry,borrowed from family. Deposited ₹89.32 lakh into Vinayaga Enterprises and Mani's accounts from April 20 to July 3,2024. But once money was in,accused avoided him,no gold coins appeared.
Pressed,Mani returned only ₹27.81 lakh in parts,then vanished,shut business . Wasn't Mary's brother after all. Venkatraman requested authorities to act,recover remaining ₹61.51 lakh,noting others were defrauded too.
As events unfolded,Joint Commissioner of Police for North Zone suspended Mary on June 16,2026,investigation ongoing. Fraud allegedly swindled cops and others of about ₹2 crore.
Denial of bail shows gravity of charges against Mary and co-accused. Investigation continues…
