Chennai, October 27: The Tamil Nadu police have arrested Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the DMK’s former School Education Minister, in an alleged Rs 100-crore corruption case linked to approvals for private schools. It is a significant development, taking place under the government led by Chief Minister Vijay, which came to power in May.

The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested him on Monday evening, October 26, after the Madras High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. He was taken to the CCB office in Chennai for further questioning.

What he is accused of

Police allege that during the previous DMK government, when Mahesh Poyyamozhi held the School Education portfolio, money was collected from private school managements in return for promised permissions. These included permanent recognition, approval for the upgrading of schools, clearances from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and other statutory approvals.

The CCB’s investigation reportedly found that money was allegedly collected from 177 private schools. The prosecution later filed an alteration report before the Metropolitan Magistrate to add Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and name the former minister as an accused. Two other people, identified as Suresh and Raja, have also been arrested. These are police allegations, and none has been proved in court.

The search in September

The case became public on September 16, when the CCB searched nine locations in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. They included Mahesh’s residence in Thennur Anna Nagar in Tiruchy and premises linked to companies and alleged associates, including Valadi Karthik and Arun Prakash. Police said they found evidence indicating his links to the case.

Mahesh appeared before the CCB for questioning on September 18, after being summoned. He told reporters at the time: “I have no fear and no guilt.” He said the documents taken during the search were official records from his time as minister, including files on Class 10 and 12 results and education department policies.

“Politically motivated”

Mahesh and his party have rejected the case. After the raids, he said the search was politically motivated and meant to divert attention from his recent political statements, adding that “the moment we raise questions in the Assembly or speak in public, raids follow.” His lawyers argued in court that he had cooperated with the investigation.

The police say they are following the evidence. I could not find a formal statement from the DMK leadership or the state government on the arrest itself in the reports I reviewed.

Who he is

Mahesh, 48, comes from a prominent DMK family. He is the son of Anbil Poyyamozhi, a former minister and close associate of the late M Karunanidhi, and is considered close to Deputy Chief Minister-turned-leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. He represented Thiruverumbur in Tiruchy and served as School Education Minister from May 2021 to May 2026.

Why it matters

The arrest of a senior member of the previous cabinet is the sharpest step yet in the new government’s dealings with the DMK, and it is likely to harden political lines in the state. It also puts the spotlight on how private schools get their approvals, a process that has long been criticised for opacity.

What to watch

Whether he is remanded in custody or granted bail, whether the CCB makes more arrests, and how the DMK responds on the streets and in the Assembly.

 

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