A major political development has unfolded in Tamil Nadu with the arrest of former school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in connection with a corruption case. The Central Crime Branch of the Chennai police carried out the arrest over allegations that he accepted massive bribes amounting to 100 crore rupees in exchange for securing licenses and other official approvals for private institutions. Investigators suspect that as many as 177 private schools are linked to this alleged bribery racket.
The Connection to 177 Private Schools
According to the findings of the crime branch, funds were allegedly collected from school managements under the guise of granting government no-objection certificates, licenses, recognitions, and renewals. Investigators have identified 177 private schools tied to this purported scheme. Police officials claim that digital evidence gathered during the probe and statements recorded during questioning point directly to the involvement of the former minister.
Madras High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail
Legal relief eluded the former minister prior to his arrest when the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition on Monday, October 26. Justice V. Lakshminarayanan declined to accept his plea for interim protection from arrest. The former politician has also approached the court separately seeking to quash the FIR registered against him in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the DMK has accused the government led by Chief Minister Vijay of misusing investigative machinery to target political opponents. On the other hand, Anbil Mahesh has consistently denied all allegations leveled against him and challenged the case registered in his name.
