CHENNAI: A special court for Pocso cases here dismissed the anticipatory bail petition filed by businessman Prakash Kannaiah, who has been summoned to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the child rape cases involving Gem Granites chairman R Veeramani and other related matters.SIT officials said they had frozen a bank account held by Prakash, which had a balance of ₹24 crore. Investigators had also obtained his bank transaction records for the past three years from multiple public sector and private banks.On Friday, special judge S Padma dismissed the application moved by Prakash after hearing his senior counsel Abudukumar Rajarathinam’s arguments that the allegations against him were baseless. He submitted that Prakash had cooperated with the investigation and sought anticipatory bail.When the police issued a summons directing Prakash to appear for questioning, they reportedly found that he was abroad. Subsequently, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him. Prakash Kannaiah, who is currently believed to be in London.Apprehending arrest in connection with the allegations, Prakash filed an anticipatory bail petition before the POCSO special court in Chennai.Opposing the plea, the prosecution submitted that the investigation was at an initial stage and that granting anticipatory bail at this juncture would affect the probe. It was submitted that crores of rupees had changed hands and that the transactions required further investigation.SIT officials said Veeramani had purchased at least 23 kg of gold from a leading jewellery showroom in T Nagar. Investigators were examining the transactions to trace the flow of money and determine whether funds were used in alleged attempts to secure relief for Veeramani in an earlier complaint against him.
