Kingston Group of Institutions, a CBSE school in Vellore owned by DMK MP Kathir Anand, has come under scrutiny for its cash-only fee policy. Parents are required to pay fees in cash at the school office, with no options for digital transactions. This has raised concerns over transparency, especially given the numerous corruption allegations surrounding Kathir Anand and his family.
Kathir Anand, the son of DMK Minister Duraimurugan, serves as the Chairman of Kingston Group of Institutions, while his wife, Sangeetha Kathir Anand, is the Chairwoman. Despite the DMK’s frequent advocacy for digital transactions and financial transparency, the school enforces a rigid rule that fees must be paid in person, in cash, by the 10th of each quarter. Students whose fees are unpaid are considered defaulters and are barred from attending classes until dues are cleared. Additionally, the school does not offer refunds under any circumstances.
Corruption Allegations Against Kathir Anand
The cash-only policy at Kingston School raises suspicions in light of Kathir Anand’s long history of financial controversies.
In January 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided Kingston Engineering College, also owned by Kathir Anand, and seized ₹13.7 crore in cash, along with incriminating documents and hard disks. The raid, which lasted 44 hours, revealed unaccounted money allegedly intended for salaries, festival bonuses, and student fees. Further investigations led to the seizure of an additional ₹2.74 crore and the sealing of the college’s server room.
This investigation ties back to a 2019 case where over ₹10 crore in cash was confiscated from locations linked to Kathir Anand’s associates in Vellore. The money was reportedly used for cash-for-votes activities during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, ultimately leading to the cancellation of elections in the constituency.
Adding to the controversy, Kathir Anand’s father, Minister Duraimurugan, was accused of orchestrating a ₹300 crore bribe scheme in Tamil Nadu’s sand quarry business. Leaked audio recordings surfaced in 2021, allegedly exposing his involvement in illegal sand mining contracts with notorious sand baron Sekhar Reddy. Reports suggest that the deals were arranged through Kathir Anand, further cementing the family’s reputation for corruption.
Lack of Transparency In School’s Financial Dealings
With such a track record of financial misconduct, Kingston Group of Institutions’ insistence on cash payments raises serious concerns. The absence of digital payment options allows for untraceable transactions, leaving room for potential financial irregularities. It is perplexing why such a big CBSE school refuses to accept online/digital payments or even cheques when even small vendors have embraced digital transactions.
The cash-only policy at Kingston School, combined with the corruption allegations against its owner, suggests a broader pattern of financial opacity.
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