Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and senior DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been arrested by the Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) in connection with a Rs 100 crore corruption racket involving government approvals for private schools.
According to reports, the investigation centres on allegations that money was collected from private educational institutions on the promise of securing licences, permanent recognition, school upgradation and other mandatory government clearances. Investigators have identified 177 schools that may have been affected by the alleged racket.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has raised serious questions about the nexus between private educational institutions and those responsible for regulating them.
Poyyamozhi, a prominent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader who served as Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister, was named as an accused after investigators examined digital evidence and recorded statements from individuals questioned during the probe. The police have stated that the material gathered during the investigation points to his involvement in corruption and breach of trust.
The Prevention of Corruption Act has subsequently been invoked against the former minister. Poyyamozhi has denied the allegations and challenged the proceedings against him.
The DMK, meanwhile, has accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of weaponising investigative agencies against political opponents.
The arrest comes a day after the Madras High Court rejected Poyyamozhi’s anticipatory bail plea on Monday. Justice V Lakshminarayan declined to grant him protection from arrest. The former minister has also approached the court seeking to quash the FIR registered against him.
How the Alleged Private Schools Corruption Case Began
The case originated with a complaint filed by Ilangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools, Tamil Nadu.
According to the complaint, money was allegedly collected from him on the assurance that the authorities would grant permanent recognition, approve school upgrades, issue planning permissions and provide other clearances required to operate private educational institutions.
The allegations initially focused 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 claiming they could facilitate approvals from the relevant government authorities.
The complainant alleged that representatives of the association promised to help institutions secure no-objection certificates (NOCs), licences, recognition, renewals and other regulatory permissions. However, despite collecting money, they allegedly failed to deliver on those assurances.
The investigation subsequently expanded, with the alleged financial irregularities reportedly amounting to Rs 100 crore and 177 schools identified as potentially affected.
With Poyyamozhi now arrested following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea, the investigation has entered a crucial phase. The allegations against the former minister remain to be established through the legal process, even as the case puts the spotlight on the functioning of Tamil Nadu’s private school approval and regulatory system.
