Published Sep 28, 2026 | 2:12 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 28, 2026 | 2:12 PM
BT Arasakumar.
The Madras High Court has quashed the detention order under the Goondas Act against PT Arasakumar, who was arrested in a case involving an alleged ₹100-crore fraud on private school managements by promising to secure various government approvals.
The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) had registered a case against Arasakumar, president of the Tamil Nadu Parent-Teacher Association, along with former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh, former MLA Muthukumar and others, based on allegations that money was collected from several private school managements across Tamil Nadu by promising to obtain permanent recognition, DTCP and CMDA approvals and other statutory clearances.
Arasakumar was arrested on June 27, 2026 and subsequently detained under the Goondas Act. The Chennai Police Commissioner issued the detention order on July 11.
Arasakumar’s wife, Kokila, challenged the detention order before the Madras High Court.
When the petition came up before a division bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and K Rajasekar, senior advocate P Wilson, appearing for Arasakumar, argued that the alleged incidents were from 2024–25, while the case was registered, and Arasakumar was arrested and detained under the Goondas Act only in 2026.
He further argued that the allegations against Arasakumar were fabricated and politically motivated, and that the representation challenging the Goondas Act detention was considered with a delay of 13 days.
After hearing the petition, the division bench quashed the Goondas Act detention order against Arasakumar.
On September 16, the Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) conducted simultaneous searches, including at locations linked to former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and his alleged aide Valadi Karthik as part of its investigation into the case. Anbil Mahesh was later called in for questioning.
Police said the investigation has been expanded across Tamil Nadu, with more than 250 people questioned, including private school representatives and officials from the School Education Department and its offices. Several government records connected to the alleged transactions have also been seized.
The CCB’s preliminary investigation has found that money running into several crores of rupees was allegedly collected from 177 private schools. Police had said complaints from additional schools continued to arrive.
The case had been registered based on a complaint lodged by Ilangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, alleging that private school managements were cheated after being promised government approvals, including permanent recognition, school upgradation, DTCP (Directorate of Town and Country Planning) approvals and other statutory clearances, in return for money.
Also Read:
Sridhar Vembu hails Vijay for fast-tracking rural school where DMK allegedly demanded money
(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
