Indian Police Arrest Former Minister Poyyamozhi Over School Corruption Case

Police in Chennai arrested former Tamil Nadu education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Monday after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in a 100 crore rupee bribery case.

Central Crime Branch officers detained Poyyamozhi at his Aminjikarai apartment following allegations that political associates extorted money from private educational institutions in exchange for government approvals.

The arrest marks a major development in state corruption inquiries targeting former leaders of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which previously held power in Tamil Nadu.

The investigation began after D.C. Elangovan, who serves as secretary for a private school federation in the state, submitted a formal complaint to law enforcement authorities.

Police officials said representatives demanded cash from school administrators under the pretense of collecting contributions toward "party funds" to secure mandatory regulatory clearances.

State investigators said that 177 private schools paid funds after being promised building permits, site approvals, and official recognition from government agencies.

Police previously arrested B.T. Arasakumar in June after investigators said he collected payments while asserting he had political influence to obtain official clearances for school administrators.

Digital device evidence and witness statements gathered during the inquiry prompted officers to add bribery and breach of trust charges against the former minister, police said.

Justice V. Lakshminarayan of the Madras High Court dismissed Poyyamozhi's bail petition on Monday, removing legal protections against immediate arrest by local police.

Representatives of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam said the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam administration is using law enforcement agencies to persecute political opponents.

In a related legal ruling on Monday, the Madras High Court dismissed a review application from former state minister K.N. Nehru concerning a separate recruitment scam.

In court filings regarding that case, Advocate General Vijay Narayan said the state government attempted to retract its review petition "to save its then Minister."

The Directorate of Enforcement opened a money laundering case on October 1 after state investigators carried out searches across four properties linked to Poyyamozhi.

Poyyamozhi has filed a petition asking the court to quash the police complaint, while investigators continue reviewing evidence seized during recent raids.