Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been arrested by the Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) in connection with an alleged Rs 100 crore corruption case involving licences and government approvals for private schools, sources told NDTV.
The arrest follows an investigation into allegations that money was collected from private educational institutions on the promise of securing government approvals. Investigators have identified 177 schools that they believe were affected by the alleged scheme.
Mahesh, a senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader, was named as an accused after investigators reportedly found material from digital devices and recorded statements during questioning that allegedly pointed to his involvement in corruption and breach of trust.
The police subsequently invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the former minister. Mahesh has denied the allegations and challenged the case against him.
The DMK has accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of using investigative agencies to target political opponents.
The arrest comes after the Madras High Court dismissed Mahesh’s anticipatory bail petition on Monday. Justice V Lakshminarayan rejected his plea for protection against arrest. The former minister has also approached the court seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him.
How The Private Schools Case Began
The investigation began with a complaint filed by Ilangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools, Tamil Nadu. He alleged that money had been collected from him on the promise of securing permanent recognition, school upgradation, planning approvals and other permissions required by private educational institutions.
According to the complaint and details emerging from the investigation, the allegations initially centred on BT Arasukumar, president of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, and other office-bearers. They were accused of collecting membership fees and subscriptions from private schools while promising to facilitate government approvals.
The complainant alleged that representatives of the association had assured schools that they would help secure no-objection certificates (NOCs), licences, recognition, renewals and other regulatory clearances. However, the promised approvals were allegedly not delivered despite the collection of money.
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