Ex-DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi files bail plea in ₹100‑crore school fraud case

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, a former DMK school education minister, has filed a bail petition after his arrest in a ₹100‑crore alleged fraud involving private schools. He was taken into judicial custody by the Chennai Central Crime Branch on Monday, October 26, 2026. Police say he promised private school administrators government approvals in exchange for money, leading to a case of cheating over ₹100 crore. In his petition, Poyyamozhi claims the arrest violated mandatory procedures and that the FIR was filed without the prior approval required under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. He adds that the grounds of arrest were not communicated and no arrest memorandum was issued, contrary to Section 36 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Poyyamozhi argues that custodial interrogation was unnecessary because there is no specific material justifying his detention, and he is willing to cooperate with investigators under any court‑imposed conditions. He denies being a flight risk, citing his clean criminal record, his medical condition of pancreatitis, and his intention to appear before the court. The bail hearing is scheduled before the special court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases on Thursday, October 29. He was later escorted to a hospital for a medical examination after his detention.

Context

Under Indian anti‑corruption law, an FIR against a public servant typically needs prior sanction, and the BNSS outlines strict arrest procedures to protect individual rights.