Gem Veeramani case: Greater Chennai Police seek cancellation of Prakash Kanniah’s passport

Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani coming out of the special POCSO court in Chennai. File

The Greater Chennai Police have written to the Ministry of External Affairs to revoke the passport of Prakash Kanniah who is wanted in connection with the POCSO Act cases against Gem Granites owner R. Veeramani.

According to police sources, he has been arraigned as an accused in the POCSO Act cases against the octogenarian businessman and his associates. The allegation is he helped the accused evade police action and got actively involved in the money trail.

“We have written to the Regional Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs requesting him to revoke Prakash Kanniah’s passport. Once the passport is cancelled he will not be able to travel or check in at hotels abroad. We have initiated the process of bringing him back,” a senior police officer said.

Investigators were taking steps to get an arrest warrant issued against Prakash Kanniah which was required to issue a Red Corner Notice.

“Once the passport is revoked and Red Corner Notice issued, the accused would be detained by the immigration authorities and handed over to the nearest Indian mission for further action,” the officer said.

After allegations of Mr. Prakash Kanniah’s involvement in the cases surfaced , police conducted searches at his office and residential premises. His bank accounts which had a balance of about ₹40 crore were frozen, the sources said.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the POCSO Act cases involving the businessman and others conducted an Identification Parade at the Puzhal central prison for one of the victims to identify the accused persons.

Veeramani is facing seven cases under the POCSO Act and one case of abetment to suicide of a minor in 2004. The businessman, his associate Shanti and her husband Mahendra Simhan, and five others have already been arrested and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.

The police recently issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Veeramani’s daughter Archana Veeramani and 4 others, restraining them from travelling abroad.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)