Rs 100-Crore School Scam: Former TN Minister Anbil Mahesh Arrested
DMK leader Anbil Mahesh arrested by Chennai police in a Rs 100-crore private school approval scam after High Court denies bail.
In a major political blow to the DMK, former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai police on Monday. The arrest comes in connection with a massive alleged scam involving the approval of private schools, where the total amount involved is estimated to exceed Rs 100 crore.
The Arrest and Court Ruling
The drama unfolded after the Madras High Court dealt a significant blow to the DMK leader. Justice V Lakshminarayanan dismissed the anticipatory bail petition filed by Anbil Mahesh, clearing the path for the police to take him into custody. Following the court's decision, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Greater Chennai Police tracked him down and arrested him from an apartment located in the Aminjikarai area of Chennai.
The Core of the Allegations
The investigation centers on a sophisticated racket where private school managements were allegedly coerced or enticed into paying large sums of money. According to the probe, these payments were collected under the guise of "party funds." In exchange, the schools were promised several critical government favors, including:
- Permanent government recognition for the institutions.
- Official permission to upgrade their school status.
- Necessary clearances from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP).
- Various other essential government approvals.
These activities allegedly took place during the previous DMK regime while Anbil Mahesh held the portfolio of School Education Minister.
A Web of Influence
The police are not looking at the former minister in isolation. The investigation has expanded to include other high-profile figures within the party. Former DMK spokesperson BT Arasakumar and former MLA Muthukumar have also come under the scanner. Investigators suspect that these individuals leveraged their political influence and alleged access to the School Education Department to collect money from desperate school managements.
The Scale of the Fraud
The case came to light following a formal complaint lodged by DC Ilangovan, the secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu. The complaint highlighted a distressing pattern: school managements paid the demanded sums, but the promised approvals never materialized. Furthermore, the money was reportedly not returned to the victims.
Key Investigation Details:
- Schools Involved: So far, the police have examined allegations involving 177 private schools that claim to have paid money for approvals.
- Financial Impact: While the initial estimates are staggering, police sources believe the total amount involved could potentially be more than Rs 100 crore.
- Ongoing Probe: Investigators are currently working to determine if the scam extended to even more institutions across the state of Tamil Nadu.