Former DMK Minister Faces Police Custody Over School Accreditation Scandal
A former DMK education minister has been remanded to police custody amid a massive bribery scandal involving private school accreditations.
Chennai, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : A special anti-corruption court in Chennai has granted the Central Crime Branch (CCB) permission to detain former DMK School Education Minister Ambil Mahesh Poyyamozhi for extensive questioning. This decision follows serious allegations of a ₹400 crore bribery scandal linked to the accreditation of private educational institutions across Tamil Nadu.
The police custody began at 1:00 PM on November 2 and is set to last until the evening of November 4. Mahesh was arrested on October 26 after investigators uncovered a systematic extortion racket targeting private school administrations. Authorities allege that officials and intermediaries coerced school owners into making substantial payments disguised as “party funds.”
In exchange for these payments, the department expedited the permanent government accreditation process, granted approvals for institutional upgrades, and issued crucial building permits through the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). Following his initial arrest, Mahesh was remanded to judicial custody at Puzhal Central Jail in Chennai until November 6.
Although his defense team promptly filed for bail, prosecutors filed a counter petition seeking physical custody to gather comprehensive financial transaction details, seize incriminating documents, and identify other co-conspirators involved in the scheme. After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, the special anti-corruption court reserved its order until November 2 before permitting police custody.
To ensure procedural rights are strictly upheld, the court mandated a thorough medical examination of Mahesh before the questioning begins. It also warned the investigation team against inflicting any physical or mental torture on the former minister. Furthermore, the court allowed Mahesh’s attorney to remain present throughout the interrogation process. The CCB has been instructed to present the accused in court again on November 5, after the questioning period concludes, as enforcement agencies conduct parallel investigations into extensive money laundering networks associated with this scandal.
