Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested on Monday in connection with an alleged ₹100 crore private school scam. According to news agency PTI, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Greater Chennai Police arrested him after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
The case relates to the alleged extortion of money from private schools in exchange for granting permanent recognition and other necessary government approvals. An FIR has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to investigate financial transactions related to the alleged scam.
Accused of taking money from over 1,000 private schools
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi is accused of allegedly taking money from the managements of over 1,000 private schools in the name of “party funds” during his tenure as Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister between 2021 and 2026. It is alleged that the schools were granted permanent recognition and other administrative approvals in exchange for this.
However, a report related to the raids conducted in September also alleged extortion of money from the managements of 177 private schools.
Raids were conducted in Chennai and Tiruchirapalli in September
The Chennai Central Crime Branch questioned Anbil Mahesh in connection with this case in September. Earlier this month, police conducted searches at his residences and other premises in Chennai and Tiruchirapalli for approximately eight hours.
During the raid, which began after a complaint from a private school organization, police seized a total of 118 items, including property documents, bank statements, 18 mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.
Earlier in June, police arrested B.T. Arasakumar and two others in connection with the case.
Former minister called the allegations political vendetta
Following the raid, Anbil Mahesh dismissed the allegations against him and described the action as motivated by political vendetta. He alleged that Tamil Nadu’s ruling TVK government was upset with his public statements criticizing plans to build a new Secretariat-Assembly complex, estimated to cost approximately ₹1,200 crore.
The former minister stated that he fully cooperated with officials during the search. He also claimed that the police seized Class 10th and 12th exam results and documents related to his inspections during his tenure.
He also pledged to continue cooperating with the investigation. At present, the investigation into the allegations against him is ongoing and the veracity of the allegations will be determined through legal process.