Chennai: Chennai: Greater Chennai Police (GCP) have sought cancellation of the passport of businessman N Prakash Kannaiah, who had reportedly helped Gem Granites chairperson R Veeramani conceal sexual offences against minor girls. The security guard of Veeramani’s house, Seenu alias Srinivasan, has been arrested by the SIT in two cases, for failing to inform authorities despite knowing that children were being brought to the house.
Police arrested Veeramani in three cases and Shanthi, Mahendra Simhan and Lazar in another case on Oct 28.
Police said evidence relevant to the cases was seized during the searches. SIT officials said efforts were under way to complete the investigation and file final reports before the court. Police have also asked that Prakash, who is believed to be in the UK, be brought back. They have issued look-out circulars (LOCs) against other accused to prevent them from fleeing abroad. Meanwhile, police conducted an identification parade at Puzhal Central Prison in one of the cases to enable a minor survivor to identify the accused. Investigators also conducted searches at the residence of accused Ganesan in Kolathur and a dance school run by Shanthi.
With the arrest of Srinivasan, the number of arrests in the case has gone up to nine, after eight people were arrested earlier — Veeramani, Shanthi, Mahendra Simhan, Lazar, Ganesan, Babu, Parthiban and Sakthivel.
Investigators have frozen a bank account belonging to him with a balance of 24 crore and obtained transaction records for the past three years. Prakash served as an adviser to the Gem group of companies. The special investigation team (SIT) has identified financial transactions between Prakash and companies owned by Veeramani.
Police had earlier issued an LOC against him after he failed to appear for questioning and were planning to seek an Interpol Blue corner notice to trace his whereabouts.