Chennai Central Crime Branch teams searched premises linked to former Tamil Nadu school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on the morning of September 16. Investigators state the action follows a case alleging about 100 crore rupees in irregularities in approvals and no-objection certificates granted to private schools, with officers examining files on recognition renewals, fee structures, and building-stability clearances issued during his tenure from 2021 to 2026. Digital devices, bank papers, and approval registers were seized for forensic review, though no arrest was announced by evening as police described the operation as a search to secure evidence rather than a final finding of guilt.
This raid is the first criminal search against a former DMK minister since the TVK government led by Vijay took office in the state. DMK leaders condemned the move as political vendetta and noted that education approvals pass through multi-level committees rather than a single minister, while TVK ministers responded that the complaint came from school associations and auditors and that the law will take its own course. Anbil Mahesh is a three-time legislator from Thiruverumbur who oversaw syllabus revisions and school infrastructure expansion before leaving office in May.
Private-school bodies remain split, with some welcoming scrutiny of capitation-linked approvals and others fearing harassment of institutions. Legal experts note that proving quid pro quo will require linking specific file notings to payments, making the seized paper trail decisive, and further questioning of department officials and intermediaries is expected in the coming days.