Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been granted police custody till November 4, 2026 by a special court in Chennai.
The court gave the CCB police permission to interrogate the former minister in connection with an alleged ₹100-crore private school approvals scam where money was collected from managements of private schools on the promise of getting government permissions, recognition and other statutory clearances.
The latest development follows a special court for cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act considering the police request for custody.
Investigators had asked permission to question Poyyamozhi as part of their probe into alleged money trail, who benefited from collections and roles of others named in the case. The court order gives police a limited period of custodial interrogation till November 4.
Poyyamozhi was arrested by Chennai Central Crime Branch on October 26 after Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition.
He was produced before a special court and remanded to judicial custody till November 6. Police then moved the court seeking custody of Poyyamozhi for further questioning and after arguments from prosecution and defence, the court first reserved its decision before issuing latest order.
What are the allegations in the case of private school approval?
The case arose from a complaint filed by D.C. Elangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu.
It was alleged that money was collected from private school managements by promising to help them get government approvals and permissions (permanent recognition, permission to upgrade schools, clearances from DTCP etc.) other statutory authorisations etc.
Intermediaries approached school managements and said permissions could be obtained for money, the allegations said. Investigators are checking whether the alleged collections were made through an organised network and if so who received them later.
The case was in focus because of its magnitude of financial transactions alleged to have taken place and people linked with previous state administration involved in it.
Poyyamozhi was the School Education Minister of Tamil Nadu from 2021 to 2026. He has been named an accused in the case and investigators are probing allegations that money was collected from private schools under the guise of party fund during his tenure. These allegations are still being investigated and have not been established as facts by a court.
Why Did Police Seek His Custody?
The Central Crime Branch sought custodial interrogation saying Poyyamozhi should be questioned to trace the alleged financial transactions and know where the money went. They are also looking at properties, benami assets and other people involved in the case too.
“We want to know how it was collected; who handled it; whether there were any other beneficiaries,” said a senior police officer.
Reports about the case have mentioned different amounts in relation to alleged collections. While complaint mentions ₹100-crore scam, prosecution reportedly put higher figure before court earlier proceedings.
Investigation is on and final amount involved will be known only after evidence gathered and verified by authorities.
Other Arrests in the Investigation
Poyyamozhi is not the only person arrested in this case. Former DMK MLA V Muthukumar, B T Arasakumar and two others have also been arrested as per reports. Investigators are looking into the alleged role of these people and if they were connected with collection of money from private school managements.
With so many people involved the financial trail has been a key part of the investigation. Police are expected to use interrogation time to find out about communications, transactions, arrangements and roles played by different people. It may also look into whether other school managements were approached or further people involved.
Defence Had Opposed Custodial Interrogation
In earlier court hearings Poyyamozhi’s lawyers said he had cooperated with the investigation and was already before the police for questioning. The defence also challenged some aspects of his arrest and that custodial interrogation was not needed. His lawyers complained about his treatment in prison (food, sleep and medical needs).
The defence’s arguments and the police’s request for custody were aired in court. The latest order now allows investigators to question him until November 4 but his legal options (bail proceedings etc.) are separate matters before the courts.
What Happens Next?
The coming days will be crucial for the police investigation. They will question Poyyamozhi about the allegations, look at information about the suspected money trail and ask him questions about roles of other accused people; authorities might compare his answers with documents, financial records and statements gathered during the investigation.
The case has become a major political and legal development in Tamil Nadu because it involves a former minister and allegations about permissions granted to private educational institutions.
But there is a difference between what the complainant and prosecution allege and facts that have been legally established. Poyyamozhi’s guilt has not been established yet; investigation and court proceedings will show how the case develops.
With the police custody extended until November 4 the focus now shifts to questions investigators ask, evidence they examine and what the court decides next. The alleged private school approvals scam is still under investigation and further developments are expected as authorities continue with their examination of the case.
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