DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested on Monday in connection with a ₹ 100 crore private schools “scam,” police said.
“Every room, every drawer was checked. We fully cooperated. Earlier that month, the CCB had conducted an intensive eight-hour search at the DMK leader’s residences and premises in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli over his alleged involvement in a ₹ 100-crore bribery scam. Money was allegedly collected from 177 private school managements in exchange for permanent government recognition. “The police took away documents that I had maintained regarding Class 10 and 12 examination results when I was the School Education Minister, and also the documents pertaining to my inspection….
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, according to news agency PTI. 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 officials themselves said such cooperation is rare,” the former minister told reporters later while speaking about the raids. I will definitely cooperate with the investigating officials,” Anbil Mahesh said on the summons for questioning.
