177 private schools, Rs 100 crore: Former Tamil Nadu education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi arrested in Rs 100-crore corruption case

CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai Police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Monday in connection with an alleged Rs 100-crore corruption case involving government approvals for private schools. The arrest came hours after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. The case concerns allegations that money was collected from private school managements on the promise of securing government recognition, licences and other statutory clearances. Meanwhile, the DMK has accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of using investigative agencies to target political opponents.

The investigation began following a complaint by D.C. Ilangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu. The complaint alleged that money was collected from private educational institutions by promising to secure permanent recognition, permission to upgrade schools, planning approvals for building construction and other government clearances. According to reports, investigators identified 177 private schools linked to the alleged collection of more than Rs 100 crore. The complaint also accused Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association president B.T. Arasakumar and other office-bearers of collecting membership fees and subscriptions from schools while promising to help them obtain the necessary government approvals.

The alleged irregularities involved promises to secure No Objection Certificates (NOCs), licences, recognition and other official permissions. However, the complainant alleged that the promised approvals were not obtained despite the payments. The investigation initially focused on Arasakumar and other individuals allegedly involved in collecting money from school managements. Mahesh was subsequently named as an accused after investigators examined the case. The allegations remain under investigation, and the former minister has denied wrongdoing.

Mahesh had approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail to protect himself from arrest. Justice V. Lakshminarayanan dismissed his petition on Monday, October 26, following which the CCB arrested him. The case concerns alleged payments linked to government approvals during the previous DMK government, when Mahesh served as School Education Minister. The allegations against him have not been established in court.

The former minister has also filed a separate petition seeking to quash the first information report (FIR) registered against him. That challenge is distinct from his anticipatory bail plea. The arrest and the rejection of anticipatory bail do not, by themselves, establish his guilt.