NE LEGAL BUREAU
CHENNAI, SEPT 29
The investigation into alleged irregularities in securing government approvals for private schools has moved deeper into documentary and digital evidence, with the Chennai Central Crime Branch searching premises linked to former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and seizing a cache of records and electronic devices as investigators examine the alleged financial and organisational links in the case.
The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) has widened its investigation into an alleged private-school approval fraud case involving former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, with searches at multiple premises linked to him yielding documents, laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
- Former School Education Minister named accused as investigation turns to alleged financial and documentary links
- Searches across Chennai and Tiruchy yield documents, laptops, phones and other electronic devices
- Police say probe concerns alleged collection of over ₹100 crore from private schools
- Mahesh denies allegations; moves Madras HC seeking quashing of FIR
The searches, conducted on September 16 at locations in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli, followed the registration of a case against Mahesh under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation concerns allegations that money running into several crores was collected from private-school managements on assurances of securing government approvals and clearances.
Digital and documentary evidence examined
Police said the searches resulted in the seizure of 118 documents, 18 mobile phones, three laptops, eight pen drives, two desktop computers, a tablet and an iPad, besides property documents, bank details and cheques.
According to the CCB investigation, the alleged network involved representations relating to permanent recognition, school upgradation, DTCP approval and other government clearances. Police have said their preliminary investigation covered 177 private schools, while more than 250 people, including School Education Department officials, have been examined.
The investigators are examining documentary, financial and electronic evidence to establish the alleged role of individuals connected with the case.
Mahesh questioned for nearly eight hours
Following the searches, Mahesh appeared before the CCB on September 18 for questioning. The inquiry reportedly lasted nearly eight hours.
Mahesh said investigators had prepared 295 questions and that he answered 246 of them. He denied the allegations and maintained that the documents seized from his premises were largely connected with his tenure as School Education Minister.
“The police had prepared a total of 295 questions, of which I answered 246 patiently and to the best of my knowledge.”
He also said the seized documents were not relevant to the case and included records relating to school education and material presented during Assembly proceedings.
Political row shadows investigation
The searches have also triggered a political confrontation. DMK president M K Stalin described the action as “political vendetta”, alleging that the ruling establishment was attempting to divert attention from other issues confronting Tamil Nadu.
Mahesh too has alleged a political motive, saying the searches followed questions he had raised over the proposed expenditure on a new Secretariat complex. He has, however, said that he would cooperate with the investigation while contesting what he described as false allegations.
The police version, meanwhile, is that the investigation stems from complaints alleging that private-school managements were induced to pay money for securing official approvals.
Legal challenge reaches Madras HC
The matter has now entered another legal phase. Mahesh has approached the Madras High Court seeking quashing of the CCB case. The court on September 28 exempted him from producing the original FIR for numbering the petition and adjourned the matter to September 30.
The CCB investigation remains underway, with investigators examining financial transactions, documentary links and electronic evidence. Allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
