Published Oct 01, 2026 | 4:05 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 01, 2026 | 4:05 PM
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case and launched an investigation into the alleged ₹100-crore scam involving regulatory approvals for private schools during the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led government in Tamil Nadu.
The high-profile probe stems from a complaint filed by Elangovan, secretary of the Federation of Private School Associations. The complaint alleged that money was collected from private school managements in return for permanent institutional recognition, upgradation of schools, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) approvals, and other key government permissions.
Based on the complaint, the Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) registered a criminal case and made several initial arrests, including Private School Association president P.T. Arasakumar, along with co-accused Suresh and Raja. Arasakumar was subsequently detained under the Goondas Act.
The Madras High Court later quashed the Goondas Act detention order, and Arasakumar was granted conditional bail after state police failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory 90-day window.
The state police investigation has also named former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi as an accused in the case.
On September 16, searches were conducted at premises linked to Poyyamozhi and his associates, Valadi Karthik and Arun Prakash. The raids reportedly led to the seizure of 118 crucial documents, including real estate property records, bank account details, signed cheques, and electronic devices.
With the CCB uncovering evidence of alleged illegal financial transactions, the ED has now formally obtained all case-related documents from the state police to map out the financial trail.
The ED is currently examining extensive records relating to money allegedly collected from 177 affected private schools, alongside financial transactions across 20 bank accounts linked to Arasakumar and his family members, and an additional 29 bank accounts linked to an associate named Muthukumar.
The federal agency is thoroughly scrutinising the direct financial transactions between private school managements, Arasakumar, and his immediate network.
After analysing the seized documents and gathering further evidence, the ED is expected to determine its next course of action, which may include fresh rounds of searches at properties belonging to Poyyamozhi, Arasakumar, and Muthukumar as they seek to trace the total proceeds of crime and assets acquired through the suspected illegal network.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
Also Read: Former TN education minister Anbil Mahesh questioned in Rs 100-crore private school fraud case
