Chennai, Sep 16: The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) carried out searches on Wednesday at properties associated with former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi as part of an investigation into allegations that bribes were solicited to obtain government recognition and other statutory permissions for private educational institutions.
Searches at Tiruchirappalli home and Chennai apartment
Police teams conducted operations at the former minister's residence in Tiruchirappalli and at an apartment on Greenways Road, Chennai. Officials said the actions form part of a broader probe into an alleged network that promised to facilitate official approvals from government departments in return for money.
Authorities did not immediately disclose the specifics of any documents or electronic devices seized during the searches. Investigators are examining financial records, communications and other material to establish the extent of transactions and any intermediaries or public officials who may have been involved.
Background to the probe
The CCB operation follows earlier developments in the case that saw the arrest of P.D. Arakumar, described by police as the founder-president of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association and a DMK functionary. Arakumar was taken into custody by the Chennai CCB and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
Police have alleged that Arakumar collected in excess of ₹100 crore from private-school managements after asserting he could secure government recognition and mandatory clearances for their institutions. Investigators have been tracing financial flows and communications linked to the alleged collection of these funds.
- Where searched: Residence in Tiruchirappalli; apartment on Greenways Road, Chennai.
- Lead agency: Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB).
- Accusations: Alleged collection of bribes to obtain recognition and statutory permissions for private schools.
- Earlier arrest: P.D. Arakumar, founder-president of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association; remanded.
- Alleged amount: More than ₹100 crore purportedly collected, according to the probe.
Political and administrative context
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi served as School Education Minister in the previous DMK government. He was elected twice to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Thiruverumbur constituency and was inducted into the state Cabinet during his party’s earlier term. He lost his seat in the 2026 Assembly election.
Police said the current searches are aimed at mapping the alleged network and determining whether individuals in positions of authority or intermediaries played a role in facilitating approvals in exchange for money. The CCB has been scrutinising bank records and electronic communications to corroborate allegations and identify links between accused persons and school-management representatives.
| Action | Subject | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Searches | Properties linked to Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi | Underway by Chennai CCB |
| Arrest | P.D. Arakumar | Arrested and remanded |
| Alleged funds | Collected from private-school operators | Police allege > ₹100 crore |
Officials have so far refrained from issuing a comprehensive public statement detailing the evidence that prompted searches of the former minister's properties. The probe remains active and officers said further actions, including more searches, summonses or arrests, cannot be ruled out as investigators pursue evidence.
The development has potential administrative implications for the regulatory processes governing recognition of private educational institutions and raises questions about the role of intermediaries in securing statutory approvals. The CCB investigation aims to establish whether approvals were unduly influenced and if legal violations occurred in the facilitation of recognition and permits.
As the probe progresses, authorities said they will continue to examine transactional records and communications to build a paper trail and determine culpability. Any formal charges will be framed on the basis of material recovered and legal provisions applicable to corruption, criminal conspiracy and related offences.
State police and probe officials declined to provide further immediate details.
