Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi Moves Court for Bail, Challenges Arrest in Alleged Rs 100 Crore Private School Fraud Case:

DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who was arrested on Monday (October 26, 2026) in a case of alleged Rs 100 crore plus fraud against private schools, has filed a bail petition against his arrest.

In his petition, Poyyamozhi alleged the police did not follow the mandatory procedures while arresting him. He said he was not informed about the reasons of his arrest and no arrest memo was issued. He also alleged that the police failed to follow the procedures laid down under Section 36 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

He also challenged the registration of FIR stating that prior approval was required under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 before the case could be registered.

Poyyamozhi was arrested by the Chennai Central Crime Branch after allegations that administrators of private schools were cheated of huge sums of money with a promise of getting government approvals for their institutions.

In his bail plea, he submitted that his custodial interrogation was not required and there was no specific evidence for his continued detention. He also told the court that he would cooperate with the investigation and comply with any conditions imposed on him if he was granted bail.

He also said he was not a flight risk and there was no evidence he would flee, tamper with evidence or influence witnesses . He argued for bail based on his clean criminal history and his medical condition, pancreatitis.

The bail petition is scheduled to be heard by the special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act on Thursday (October 29, 2026).