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Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poiyamozhi was arrested after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in an alleged private school recognition irregularities case. (Images: X)
Chennai: Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poiyamozhi was arrested by Tamil Nadu Police on Monday after the Madras High Court rejected his request for anticipatory bail in a case concerning alleged irregularities in granting recognition and permissions to private schools.
Police took the former minister into custody in Aminjikarai following the court's October 26 decision. The investigation centres on suspected financial misconduct in the approval process for private educational institutions. The allegations have not been established in court.
The case came before Justice V Lakshminarayanan on October 16, when arguments from the prosecution and the defence were heard. The judge reserved the order, which was subsequently delivered on October 26. The rejection of anticipatory bail cleared the way for police to arrest the DMK leader.
During the proceedings, the prosecution maintained that Anbil Mahesh's custodial interrogation was necessary to investigate the alleged transactions and establish the roles of those suspected of involvement.
Public Prosecutor John Sathyan, representing the police, alleged that around Rs 400 crore had changed hands as part of the suspected racket. According to the prosecution, money was allegedly collected from private schools and transferred to officials in connection with the grant of permanent recognition and other permissions. The prosecution also referred to an alleged money trail involving Suresh, the driver of the second accused, Muthukumar. Photographs were cited as part of the material presented during the proceedings.
Police opposed the anticipatory bail request, arguing that further questioning was required to uncover additional details. The prosecution also expressed concern that granting pre-arrest protection could create risks of evidence tampering or influence over witnesses. It further submitted that the approximately eight hours of questioning already conducted had not been sufficient to complete the investigation.
During the hearing, the court raised questions about the significance of photographs showing a prominent political leader. The judge observed that public figures are routinely photographed at public appearances, meaning such images alone do not necessarily establish wrongdoing. The court also noted that Anbil Mahesh, having served as a minister, would have had an office in the Directorate of Public Instruction complex. A meeting with officials at that location, the judge indicated, was not inherently suspicious.
The judge also sought clarity from the prosecution about the earlier questioning and the specific information investigators still needed to obtain.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in the granting of permanent recognition and permissions to private educational institutions in Tamil Nadu. Investigators are examining the suspected financial transactions and the alleged involvement of individuals connected with the approval process. The prosecution has argued that custodial questioning is necessary to advance the investigation.
With the Madras High Court rejecting anticipatory bail, police proceeded to take the former minister into custody. The allegations against Anbil Mahesh remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and the claims presented by the prosecution should not be treated as proof of guilt.
