Former school education minister of Tamil Nadu, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who appeared before the Chennai Central Crime Branch police on Friday, was interrogated in connection with the private school approval fraud case.

The investigation stems from a complaint submitted to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, alleging that crores of rupees were collected from private school managements on a promise of procuring permanent government recognition.

The CCB officials registered a case and subsequently arrested three persons — B T Arasakumar, Suresh, and Raja — for their involvement in the extortion and breach of trust. Following evidence uncovered during probe into the arrested individuals, action was initiated against Poyyamozhi under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

“The investigation has confirmed that a total of about Rs 18 crore has been collected from the affected private schools so far in this case and a breach of trust has been committed,” a release from the police said.

On September 16, CCB teams raided nine premises linked to the former minister and his associates across Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. Property deeds, bank documents, financial instruments, and digital devices were confiscated during the synchronised raids, a release from the police department said.

Anbil Mahesh underwent extensive day-long questioning today and the investigators focused on his ties with key figures named in the scam, suspected fund transfers disguised as party contributions, and bank transactions tied to affected private school managements.

They questioned him about the documentary evidence recovered during recent searches. His statements were formally recorded into the investigation record, a release said.

The questioning stretched late into the evening.

The CCB stated that the probe remains ongoing to identify possible beneficiaries and financial links.

Later, speaking to reporters Anbil Mahesh said he was subjected to over eight hours interrogation and he faced 246 questions.

“I faced the questions patiently answering 246 out of 295. I was asked to appear again next week to answer the remaining questions,” he said.

He emphasised that he respected the police summons and followed his party leader’s instructions to cooperate fully with the investigation.

The documents seized from him pertained to the education department’s achievements and budget sessions, he claimed.

Strongly asserting that the investigation was based on a “false case”, Anbil Mahesh said he would approach the court and prove his innocence.

He accused the media of sensationalising the issue by claiming unverified figures.

The summons followed an intensive eight-hour search on Wednesday by the CCB at the residences and premises of the DMK leader over his alleged involvement an alleged multi-crore bribery scam where money was allegedly collected from 177 private school managements in exchange for permanent government recognition.

As many as 118 items including property deeds, bank statements, 18 mobile phones, laptops and tablets were seized during the raid which was initiated following a complaint by a private school association.

“Every room, every drawer was checked. We fully cooperated. The officials themselves said such cooperation is rare,” the former minister told reporters later while speaking about the raids.

“The police took away documents that I had maintained regarding Class 10 and 12 examination results when I was the school education minister, and also the documents pertaining to my inspection…. I will definitely cooperate with the investigating officials,” Anbil Mahesh said on the summons for questioning.

(Inputs from PTI)

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