Fresh allegations have emerged in the bribery case involving former DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, with reports claiming that amendments to the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Regulation Rules, 2023, were used to allegedly collect bribes from private schools, with a target of ₹400 crore.
According to information emerging in the ongoing investigation, the previous DMK government allegedly issued a Government Order (GO) in March 2026, shortly before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, introducing amendments that enabled eligible private schools to obtain recognition for a period of 20 years.
Under the earlier system, private schools were required to renew their recognition once every three years. The amendments reportedly provided a provision under which schools that had obtained recognition three consecutive times could secure recognition for 20 years without having to undergo the renewal process every three years.
The investigation has reportedly uncovered allegations that private schools were asked to pay between ₹40 lakh and ₹1 crore, and in some cases ₹1–2 crore, to obtain the long-term recognition certificate.
Schools that had previously faced objections or delays in securing recognition due to deficiencies allegedly used the amended provisions to obtain long-term approvals by paying bribes.
Investigators are also examining allegations of money being collected from schools seeking to upgrade their status. This reportedly included primary schools, which operate from Classes 1 to 5, seeking permission to expand into higher classes and obtain recognition as higher-level schools.
According to the report by News Tamil 24×7, the alleged ₹400-crore collection target was linked to the amendments that enabled private schools to obtain 20-year recognition. The investigation is continuing to examine the role of officials and others involved in the alleged collection of money.
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