Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai Central Crime Branch on Monday. His detention follows a significant legal setback earlier that day, when the Madras High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail in a high-profile corruption case.
The investigation centers on serious allegations of financial irregularities pertaining to the issuance of government approvals for private schools. Authorities claim that approximately Rs 100 crore was collected from private school managements under the pretext of gathering party funds. Investigators are currently examining whether these financial demands were directly linked to promises of facilitating pending applications for school recognition, renewals, and other regulatory clearances.
According to the investigating agency, the scope of the alleged racket is substantial, with approximately 177 private schools identified as part of the ongoing inquiry. Police have alleged that the former minister was personally involved in discussions regarding the collection of these funds. As part of their evidence-gathering process, law enforcement officials have conducted extensive searches at premises associated with the former minister and several of his associates.
The legal developments culminated on October 26, when Justice V. Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail petition filed by Mahesh. During the proceedings, the defense team representing the former minister argued that he had consistently cooperated with the investigative agencies, having already appeared for questioning and provided relevant information. His lawyers contended that custodial interrogation was unnecessary, asserting that investigators had already secured the required documents and materials during their earlier raids.
The prosecution strongly countered these arguments, emphasizing that further custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the full extent of the alleged money trail. The state's legal representatives also highlighted the need to determine the specific roles of all individuals accused in the case, noting that at least one key suspect remains absconding, which complicates the ongoing probe.
Beyond the state-level investigation led by the Chennai Central Crime Branch, the case has drawn the attention of federal agencies. The Enforcement Directorate has independently registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act earlier this month. This federal probe is focused on tracking the movement, layering, and ultimate use of the funds allegedly extracted from private school managements.
While the allegations against the former minister remain under judicial scrutiny and have not yet been established in a court of law, his arrest marks a significant escalation in the state’s crackdown on alleged systemic corruption in the education sector. The former minister has maintained that he has participated in the investigative process throughout, but the dismissal of his bail plea leaves him without further legal protection against detention.
As the case proceeds, both state and federal investigators are expected to intensify their focus on the financial records of the schools involved and the suspected flow of capital. The arrest of a former high-ranking cabinet official in connection with institutionalized graft allegations is expected to have broader implications for administrative oversight in Tamil Nadu. For now, the legal proceedings continue as authorities work to build a case centered on the movement of these substantial sums of money.
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