The arrest of former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has brought an alleged ₹100-crore corruption case involving private school approvals into the political spotlight. The DMK leader was taken into custody by the Greater Chennai Police's Central Crime Branch on Monday, October 26, after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Investigators suspect that money was collected from more than 1,000 private school managements under the guise of party contributions in exchange for permanent recognition and statutory clearances. The case has also attracted the attention of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is examining the suspected proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who served as Tamil Nadu's School Education Minister from 2021 to 2026, was arrested in connection with allegations of large-scale financial irregularities in the process of granting recognition and administrative approvals to private schools. The arrest by the Greater Chennai Police's Central Crime Branch came shortly after the Madras High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail.
According to the allegations under investigation, more than 1,000 private school managements were approached for payments described as contributions to the ruling party's fund. Investigators suspect that these payments were allegedly linked to the grant of permanent recognition and other statutory permissions required for schools to operate.
The allegations raise questions about the integrity of administrative procedures governing private educational institutions. However, the charges remain allegations, and the investigation will have to establish whether the payments were collected, how the money was transferred and whether any official decisions were influenced by financial considerations.
The Central Crime Branch has registered a case under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Separately, the Enforcement Directorate has initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to investigate the suspected financial trail and determine whether the alleged proceeds were transferred, concealed or used through other channels.
Police Probe Financial Transactions and Associates
The investigation gathered momentum following a complaint submitted to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner. The complainant alleged that substantial sums had been collected from private school managements on the promise of securing permanent government recognition for their institutions.
Following the complaint, the Central Crime Branch registered a case and arrested three individuals—B T Arasakumar, Suresh and Raja—on allegations of involvement in extortion and criminal breach of trust. Evidence collected during the investigation into their alleged activities subsequently led investigators to initiate action against Poyyamozhi under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The former minister was questioned by investigators last month in an extensive, day-long interrogation. The questioning reportedly focused on his alleged links with individuals named in the case, suspected transfers of money presented as party contributions and bank transactions involving private school managements.
Investigators also examined documentary material recovered during searches and formally recorded his statements as part of the investigation. These inquiries are intended to establish whether the alleged financial arrangements were connected to official decisions taken during his tenure as education minister.
On September 16, Central Crime Branch teams conducted coordinated searches at nine premises associated with Poyyamozhi and his associates in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. The searches resulted in the seizure of property documents, bank records, financial instruments and digital devices.
The seized material could prove significant in reconstructing the suspected money trail and examining communications and financial dealings among the individuals under investigation. Investigators are expected to scrutinise the documents and electronic records to determine the nature and extent of the alleged transactions.
ED Examines Suspected Money Trail
The Enforcement Directorate's involvement adds a financial investigation to the criminal proceedings being pursued by the state police. While the Central Crime Branch is investigating the alleged collection of money and possible offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the ED's probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act focuses on the suspected proceeds of crime and their movement.
A crucial aspect of the investigation will be determining whether the alleged payments were made voluntarily as political contributions or were obtained through coercion or promises of favourable administrative decisions. Establishing a direct connection between the money allegedly collected and the exercise of official authority will be central to assessing the allegations against the former minister.
The investigation will also need to establish the roles, if any, played by the individuals arrested earlier, the minister's associates and other persons whose financial transactions or communications may be relevant to the case.
The alleged involvement of more than 1,000 private school managements makes the case particularly significant for Tamil Nadu's education sector. If substantiated, the allegations could expose serious weaknesses in the system for granting recognition and statutory clearances to educational institutions. At the same time, the allegations must be tested against documentary evidence and the applicable legal standards.
With Poyyamozhi now arrested following the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea, the case has entered a critical phase. The police investigation and the ED's financial scrutiny will determine whether the available evidence supports the allegations of corruption and money laundering. The outcome will depend on the evidence established through the legal process, and the accused will have the opportunity to contest the charges in accordance with the law.
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