Former DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi arrested in ₹100-crore private schools fraud case

Former DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai Police in connection with an alleged multicrore scam, on October 26, 2026. Photo: Special Arrangement

Hours after his anticipatory bail plea was dismissed by the Madras High Court on Monday (October 26, 2026), former DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai police in connection with an alleged multi-crore scam. 

According to police sources, a special team of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), investigating allegations that several crores of rupees were collected as ‘party fund’ from various private school managements across Tamil Nadu, arrested Mr. Poyyamozhi who was the School Education Minister between 2021 and 2026.

The case arises out of a complaint lodged by C. Elangovan, secretary of Tamil Nadu Private Schools Federation, with the Chennai Police Commissioner levelling serious charges against B.T. Arasakumar (59) who was accused of having collected large sums of money by running an unregistered association named ‘Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association’

The complainant alleged that Mr. Arasakumar, who was later detained under the Goondas Act, had collected money from private school managements by promising to offer services such as obtaining approvals for upgrading schools, gaining permanent recognition, securing building plan approvals etc “using his proximity” with the then ruling dispensation, the sources said. 

The CCB had included Mr. Poyyamozhi as an accused in the case only after seizing evidence which pointed to collection of bribe money termed as ‘party fund’.

Muthukumar, alleged to be a close associate of Mr. Poyyamozhi, was absconding and efforts were on to apprehend him at the earliest, the sources said. 

Published - October 26, 2026 04:51 pm IST