Archive · 16 Sep 2026
CCB Searches Former Minister’s Home in School Fraud Probe
Police searched the home and other premises linked to former minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
The searches happened in Tiruchirappalli and Chennai on Wednesday.
The case is about claims that private schools were asked for large amounts of money.
The money was allegedly collected in exchange for promises of government approvals.
These approvals included school recognition, upgrades, and building clearances.
Police said the alleged fraud could involve more than Rs 100 crore.
Poyyamozhi said he was innocent and cooperated with the search.
DMK leaders said the action was politically motivated, while the police said the investigation was continuing.
The Central Crime Branch searched former Tamil Nadu minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi’s residence in Tiruchirappalli on Wednesday.
The searches lasted about eight hours, with reports placing their start between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m. and their end at 3:40 p.m.
Police searched six locations: four linked to Poyyamozhi and two associated with his aide, Valadi Karthik.
The investigation concerns alleged collection of more than Rs 100 crore from private schools for promised approvals and clearances.
Poyyamozhi denied wrongdoing, while DMK president M K Stalin called the searches political vendetta; investigators said they seized documents and electronic devices.
- Who
- The Central Crime Branch searched premises linked to former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and his aide Valadi Karthik.
- What
- Police conducted simultaneous searches in an alleged Rs 100-crore private-school approval fraud case.
- When
- On Wednesday, September 16; reports said the main search ran from about 7:30 or 7:40 a.m. until 3:40 p.m.
- Where
- At Poyyamozhi’s residence in Thennur Anna Nagar, Tiruchirappalli, and at five other premises in Tiruchirappalli and Chennai.
- Why
- The searches followed allegations that private-school managements were defrauded through promises of official recognition, upgrades, building approvals, and other clearances.
Investigators’ allegations
Poyyamozhi and DMK’s response
Nature of the case
Investigators’ allegations
The Central Crime Branch registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act after examining departmental records, financial transactions, and electronic evidence. The probe concerns alleged payments collected for school approvals and clearances.
Poyyamozhi and DMK’s response
Poyyamozhi asserted that he had no guilt or fear and said the searches produced only routine files from his ministerial tenure.
Political motivation
Investigators’ allegations
The CCB presented the searches as part of an ongoing investigation arising from a complaint by the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu.
Poyyamozhi and DMK’s response
M K Stalin described the searches as political vendetta and alleged they were intended to divert attention from administrative failures. The DMK said it would challenge the case through legal avenues.
Search access and conduct
Investigators’ allegations
Police searched the premises and seized documentary and digital material for further verification.
Poyyamozhi and DMK’s response
DMK workers protested outside, seeking access for Poyyamozhi’s lawyer. Police also denied senior DMK leader K N Nehru entry during the searches.
- Investigating agency
- Central Crime Branch, Chennai City
- Main person searched
- Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister
- Search duration
- Approximately eight hours, from about 7:30 or 7:40 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
- Locations searched
- Six premises: four linked to Poyyamozhi and two linked to Valadi Karthik
- Alleged amount
- More than Rs 100 crore collected from private-school managements, according to the allegations
- Evidence seized
- School approval files, government representations, financial documents, computers, mobile phones, and hard drives
- Investigation status
- Police said they had examined 177 affected private schools and questioned more than 250 people
