Chennai, 26 Oct (H.S.): Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested by Chennai police on Monday, hours after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition in a case involving alleged collections from private school managements.

A special team of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested the DMK leader as part of its investigation into allegations that several crores of rupees were collected from schools across Tamil Nadu under the label of “party fund”, police sources said.

Poyyamozhi served as School Education Minister between 2021 and 2026. Investigators included him as an accused after allegedly seizing evidence linking the collections to bribes described as contributions to a party fund, the sources added.

The investigation originated from a complaint submitted to the Chennai Police Commissioner by C. Elangovan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Federation. His complaint levelled allegations against B.T. Arasakumar, 59, who allegedly operated an unregistered organisation called the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association.

According to the complaint, Arasakumar collected substantial amounts from private school managements by promising to secure various statutory permissions and approvals through his alleged proximity to the then ruling dispensation.

The services allegedly promised included approvals for upgrading schools, permanent recognition and building plan clearances. Police sources said the payments and the circumstances in which they were collected formed part of the ongoing investigation.

Arasakumar was subsequently detained under the Goondas Act, the sources said.

Investigators are also searching for Muthukumar, described by police sources as a close associate of Poyyamozhi. He was absconding, and efforts were under way to apprehend him, they added.

Monday’s arrest followed the rejection of Poyyamozhi’s request for protection from arrest. The allegations concerning the collection of money and his purported involvement remain part of the police investigation and have yet to be established in court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman