Political Vengeance: MK Stalin Slams Arrest of Anbil Mahesh
DMK chief MK Stalin condemns the arrest of former minister Anbil Mahesh in a Rs 100-crore school scam, calling it a move to divert public attention.
In a sharp escalation of political tensions in Tamil Nadu, DMK president MK Stalin has strongly condemned the arrest of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The arrest, linked to an alleged Rs 100-crore private school approval scam, has been labeled by Stalin as an act of "political vengeance" orchestrated by the ruling government.
Allegations of Diversion and Vendetta
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), MK Stalin accused the administration of using the arrest as a strategic tool to shift the public's focus away from critical failures in governance. He suggested that the move is a desperate attempt to mask a crumbling law and order situation and deep-rooted administrative corruption.
“By arresting Mr. Anbil Mahesh, who has been extending full cooperation to the investigation regarding the allegations against him, the ruling government believes it can temporarily conceal the dismal state of law and order that is laughing in mockery and the administrative corruption that is weeping in despair, thereby diverting the people's attention,” Stalin stated.
The DMK chief further asserted that while Anbil Mahesh will face the legal proceedings and allegations according to the law, the government's plan to escape public anger through such "arrest actions" would ultimately fail.
The Core of the Controversy: The School Approval Scam
The arrest stems from a high-stakes investigation into a purported Rs 100-crore scam. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Greater Chennai Police is investigating claims that funds were illegally collected from private school managements.
It is alleged that these payments were solicited under the guise of "party funds" in exchange for several official favors, including:
- Securing government approvals for schools.
- Obtaining permanent recognition for institutions.
- Getting permissions to upgrade schools.
These activities allegedly took place during the previous DMK regime while Anbil Mahesh served as the School Education Minister.
Legal Setback and Arrest
The arrest followed a significant legal blow to the DMK leader. Anbil Mahesh had approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail to avoid incarceration. However, Justice V Lakshminarayanan dismissed the pre-arrest bail petition, clearing the way for the police to take him into custody.
Following the court's decision, Chennai police tracked and arrested Anbil Mahesh from an apartment located in the Aminjikarai area of Chennai.