Police Arrest Anbil Mahesh in Alleged Private School Payments Case

The arrest followed a court ruling. On Monday, October 26, Chennai police took former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi into custody after the Madras High Court rejected his request for bail before arrest. The case concerns alleged payments for private-school approvals, with police linking 177 schools to collections of at least ₹100 crore. Those figures remain allegations, not proven losses. ^1,11

The 177 schools were said to have paid money described as “party funds” in return for permanent recognition, school upgrades and other government approvals, including building permissions. A complaint from an official with a private-school federation led the Greater Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch to open a case. Police first arrested association president B.T. Arasakumar and two other men; investigators later named Mahesh as an accused. He held the education portfolio from 2021 to 2026. ^4,6

Mahesh’s role is disputed. Prosecutors say he collected money directly and argue that questioning him in custody could help trace the alleged payments. During the bail hearing, a prosecutor put the suspected total as high as ₹400 crore. Mahesh’s lawyer said he had answered police questions for eight hours and argued there was no proof he received illegal payments. The High Court refused bail, saying the matter needed more investigation, according to the prosecution’s account. ^3,13,14

The Central Crime Branch is continuing its investigation. It has searched sites linked to Mahesh and his associates and seized records and electronic devices. The Enforcement Directorate has also opened a case to examine the suspected movement of money. Mahesh has separately asked the High Court to cancel the case against him; that request is listed for a hearing on October 29. ^5,16