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

Gem Granites founder R. Veeramani emerging from the POCSO Special Court in Chennai. File | Photo credit: B.Jothi Ramalingam

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

According to police sources, he has been booked as an accused in the POCSO Act cases against the octogenarian businessman and his associates. He helped the accused avoid police action and was actively involved in the financial trail.

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

The investigators took steps to issue an arrest warrant against Prakash Kanniah who had to issue a Red Corner notice.

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

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

An identification parade took place

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the POCSO Act cases involving the businessman and others conducted an identification drive for one of the victims at Puzhal Central Jail to identify the accused persons.

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

Police recently issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Veeramani’s daughter Archana Veeramani and 4 others preventing them from traveling abroad.

(Help to overcome suicidal thoughts is available on the state health line 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 22:41 IST