Chennai, 16 September (H.S.): The Central Crime Branch of the Chennai City Police conducted searches at four locations in Tiruchi and Chennai linked to former DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Wednesday.

The searches, including one at his residence in Thennur Anna Nagar in Tiruchi, were carried out in connection with an alleged multi-crore fraud involving private school managements. Premises linked to his aide, Valadi Karthik, were also searched in Tiruchi and Chennai.

Police have registered a case against Anbil Mahesh under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigators alleged that evidence gathered during the probe indicated corruption and breach of trust while he served as School Education Minister in the previous DMK government.

The case originated from an investigation into B.T. Arasakumar, 59, of Saligramam, Chennai, who was arrested by the Central Crime Branch in June. Police accused him of collecting amounts from private school managements by promising to upgrade their institutions, obtain permanent recognition and secure approvals for building plans.

Arasakumar allegedly operated an unregistered organisation called the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association. He was arrested following a complaint filed by Ilangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, with the Chennai City Police Commissioner.

Arasakumar was detained under the Goondas Act. Two others were also arrested in connection with the alleged fraud and remanded in judicial custody.

As part of the investigation, Central Crime Branch teams conducted inquiries across Tamil Nadu and questioned more than 250 people. Officials working in the School Education Department and its subordinate offices were also examined.

Investigators confiscated several government documents during the inquiry. The searches at premises linked to Anbil Mahesh and his aide were undertaken to gather further documentary and electronic evidence and determine the alleged involvement of officials and political functionaries in the fraud.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman