Former DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh arrested in alleged Rs 100 crore school corruption case
New Delhi: Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai Central Crime Branch on Monday, October 26, after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in a case involving alleged financial irregularities in approvals granted to private schools.
The case involves allegations that more than Rs 100 crore was collected from private school managements in the name of party funds. Investigators are examining whether the money was sought in exchange for helping schools obtain government permissions, renewals and other regulatory clearances.
The allegations against Mahesh have not been established in court and the investigation is continuing.
VIDEO | DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested on Monday in Chennai, in connection with a Rs 100 crore private schools “scam,” police said.
He was arrested by the Greater Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) shortly after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition in connection with the alleged scam involving the issuance of recognition and statutory clearances to private schools.
Mahesh is accused of collecting money from over 1,000 private school managements in the guise of a “party fund” during his tenure as School Education Minister (2021-26), in exchange for permanent recognition and other administrative approvals. The FIR, registered by the CCB, includes charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe the suspected financial trail related to the alleged scam.
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What are the allegations against Anbil Mahesh?
The Central Crime Branch registered the case following complaints that private schools were asked to pay money on assurances that their pending applications for recognition, renewal, upgradation and other approvals would be facilitated.
According to investigators, around 177 private schools have been identified in connection with the alleged collections. The agency has also alleged that Mahesh was directly involved in discussions concerning money collected in the name of party funds.
The former minister was subsequently named as an accused in the case. Police also carried out searches at premises linked to him and his associates as part of the investigation.
Madras High Court rejects anticipatory bail plea
Justice V Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court dismissed Mahesh’s anticipatory bail petition on October 26, paving the way for his arrest.
During the hearing, Mahesh’s lawyer argued that he had appeared before investigators, answered their questions and cooperated with the probe. His counsel also submitted that custodial interrogation was unnecessary as the police had already collected documents and other material during searches.
The prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that further questioning was needed to establish the alleged money trail and determine the roles of those involved. It also pointed to an alleged key accused who remains absconding.
ED investigates alleged money trail
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has separately registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the alleged racket earlier this month. The agency is examining the movement of funds allegedly collected from private school managements and how the money was used.
Mahesh had maintained, through his legal team that he had cooperated with investigators and that custodial interrogation was not required. His arrest comes as the police and the ED continue their respective investigations into the alleged financial irregularities.