6 locations searched as CCB probes ex-DMK minister in school fraud case

The CCB sleuths on Wednesday conducted simultaneous searches at the residences and premises linked to former School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli in connection with an alleged Rs 100-crore private school approval fraud case, police said.

Searches were carried out across six locations -- four premises linked to the former minister and two premises associated with his aide, Valadi Karthik.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) registered a case against the former minister under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act following an examination of departmental records, financial transactions, and electronic evidence linked to his tenure as school education minister, according to an official release.

The probe originates from a complaint lodged by the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, which alleged that administrations of various private schools were defrauded with false promises of obtaining permanent recognition, upgradation, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) clearances, and other state government approvals.

Earlier on June 27, the CCB arrested 59-year-old B T Arasakumar of Saligramam for allegedly collecting over Rs 100 crore from school managements. Investigators have so far examined 177 affected private schools and questioned more than 250 individuals, including School Education Department personnel. Police have also frozen 20 bank accounts linked to Arasakumar and his family, alongside 29 accounts linked to another accused, Muthukumar.

During Wednesday's operations, investigating teams seized representations submitted to government offices, private school approval files, financial documents, computers, mobile phones, and hard drives.

CCB officials said further investigations and verification of seized digital and documentary evidence are underway.