Former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on September 18 appeared before the Chennai Central Crime Branch police for questioning in connection with the private school approval fraud case. The DMK leader, against whom the CCB has registered a Prevention of Corruption Act case, was accompanied by his advocates.
The CCB in Chennai issued a summons to him on September 18 following extensive eight-hour searches at premises linked to him in Chennai and Trichy on September 16 in connection with an alleged ₹100-crore fraud involving promises of government approval and recognition for private schools.
DMK EX-MINISTER ANBIL MAHESH HAS BEEN SUMMONED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE CCB COPS IN CHENNAI ON SEPTEMBER 18
Former state minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been summoned by the Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) police to appear before the investigating officers on September 18… pic.twitter.com/CTSp82yOtO
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) September 16, 2026
As many as 118 items, including property deeds, bank statements, 18 mobile phones, laptops and tablets, were seized during the raid, which was initiated following a complaint by a private school association. The police arrested B T Arasakumar and two others in June.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Elangovan, Secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, with the Chennai City Police Commissioner. He alleged that a network had collected money from private school managements after promising to secure government approvals, including permanent recognition, upgradation, DTCP clearance and other clearances.
BIG BREAKING:
A case has been registered against former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act over alleged corruption and breach of trust.
Simultaneous searches are underway at 4 locations linked to him in… pic.twitter.com/ZT3Uz4C07b
— Actor Vijay Team (@ActorVijayTeam) September 16, 2026
Central Crime Branch police registered a complaint and arrested the prime accused, BT Arasakumar (59) of Saligramam, Chennai, on June 27. He was later remanded in judicial custody and detained under the Goondas Act. Two other accused have also been arrested in the case. It is learnt that the police have examined over 250 people across Tamil Nadu, including several government officials from the School Education Department, and relevant government documents have been seized.
Initial inquiry has revealed that several crores of rupees were allegedly collected from 177 private schools on false assurances. Bank accounts linked to the accused, their family members and associates have been identified and frozen – 20 accounts linked to Arasakumar and his family and 29 accounts linked to another suspect, Muthukumar, are under financial scrutiny.
CCB teams began simultaneous searches from September 15 at four locations in Chennai and Tiruchy belonging to the former minister and at two locations belonging to his aide, Valadi Karthik.
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said after the raids, “the moment we raise questions in the Assembly or speak in public, raids follow. I had questioned in public speeches about the need to spend over Rs 1,000 crore on a new secretariat despite existing infrastructure. Soon after, this search happens. I have nothing to hide. Several documents related to his tenure as School Education Minister in the DMK regime were taken, including district-wise review files on Class 10 and 12 results and policy-related records of the education department. ‘These are official and academic records. Nothing illegal was found’.”
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu: Former Minister Anbil Mahesh says, "The search was politically motivated and carried out to divert attention from my recent political statements. Searches were being conducted against those who questioned the government in the Assembly…I would… https://t.co/T763sOgrok pic.twitter.com/8j3JI5bK1t
— ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2026
DMK workers protested near the residence of the former minister in Trichy, alleging that police were not allowing his team of lawyers to meet him. They also alleged that calls to the former minister were not being permitted, with even calls from advocates being blocked. It has been more than five hours, they claim, and cadres have not been allowed to meet him outside.
DMK president termed the police raids and summoning as part of diversionary tactics and vendetta politics when people were agitating over unscheduled power cuts all over the state. There is no response for people missing in Nepal floods and scarcity of Aavin milk, twin murder in Ramanathapuram, murder of MTC driver in Chennai, etc.
அன்பில் மகேஸ் பொய்யாமொழி மீது ரெய்டு: மற்றுமொரு திசைதிருப்பும், அரசியல் பழிவாங்கல் நடவடிக்கை
▶️ தமிழ்நாடு முழுவதும் மின்வெட்டினால் பாதிக்கப்படும் மக்களின் போராட்டங்கள்
▶️ பட்டினப்பாக்கம் மீனவர்கள் போராட்டம்
▶️ நேபாளத்தில் காணாமல் போனவர்களின் உறவினர்கள் உரிய பதில் கிடைக்காமல்…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 16, 2026
Critics allege it has become a pattern whenever ED, IT or police conducts raids, workers are mobilised after giving money to show their muscle power. Earlier, when IT conducted a raid at Senthil Balaji’s premises, officials were assaulted, including women officers. It is still continuing and has spread to Kerala too. A dangerous trend, and now these enforcement agencies bring Central forces for security.
