CCB Searches Former Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh's Tiruchi Home in School Fraud Probe

A team of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Chennai City Police on Wednesday carried out searches at the Tiruchi residence of former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, as part of an investigation into an alleged multi-crore fraud involving private schools.

The five-member police team began the operation at his house in Thennur Anna Nagar at around 7.30 am. Personnel were posted outside the premises while the search was under way. Sources said searches were also conducted at six other locations across Chennai and Tiruchi linked to the former minister.

The case relates to allegations that substantial sums were collected from private-school managements on the promise of securing official clearances. These included upgrading schools, obtaining permanent recognition and getting approvals for building plans.

The CCB had earlier registered a case and arrested B T Arasakumar, who is accused of collecting around Rs 100 crore from private-school managements for these purposes. Arasakumar ran an unregistered body called the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association. Poyyamozhi was holding the School Education portfolio at the time the alleged transactions took place.

During the search, senior DMK leader and former minister K N Nehru was not allowed to enter Poyyamozhi's residence.