Politics · India · 1 day ago
Chennai court grants police three days to question ex-minister
Former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi is facing a bribery investigation in Chennai.
The Central Crime Branch arrested him over allegations that money was collected from private schools in exchange for government approvals.
A private-schools association made the complaint, and police suspect that bribes of up to ₹400 crore may have been collected.
The allegations concern approvals for private schools, including permanent recognition.
The court granted police three days to question Poyyamozhi, from November 2 until November 4, after they had asked for five days.
Police are also reportedly considering questioning his wife and examining money transfers and assets linked to relatives.
The court is due to hear his bail petition on November 5.
A Chennai special court on November 2 granted police three days to question former Tamil Nadu minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in an alleged bribery case involving approvals for private schools.
The Central Crime Branch had asked for five days of custody, but the court allowed questioning from 1 p.m. on November 2 until 5 p.m. on November 4.
The case concerns allegations that money was collected in return for granting private schools government approvals or permanent recognition.
Police suspect bribes may have reached ₹400 crore, while another report describes alleged fraud of about ₹100 crore.
The court set conditions for the questioning, including video-recording the interrogation and medical checks.
- Who
- Former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and the Central Crime Branch of Greater Chennai Police.
- What
- A court granted police three days to question Poyyamozhi in an alleged bribery case involving private-school approvals.
- When
- The order was made on November 2, 2026; questioning was permitted until 5 p.m. on November 4.
- Where
- Chennai, India.
- Why
- Police are investigating allegations that money was collected for granting government approvals or permanent recognition to private schools.
Police
Poyyamozhi's counsel
Interrogation recording
Police
Police said the entire proceedings could not be video-recorded.
Poyyamozhi's counsel
The counsel sought video recording of all interrogation proceedings except the time spent transporting Poyyamozhi.
The Central Crime Branch arrested Poyyamozhi following a complaint alleging bribes were collected for granting approvals to private schools.
Police sought five days of custody, and the special court granted three days.
The court permitted interrogation from 1 p.m. on November 2 until 5 p.m. on November 4.
The court was due to hear Poyyamozhi’s bail petition and his plea seeking the return of electronic devices seized by police.
- Custody granted
- 3 days
- Custody requested
- 5 days
- Permitted interrogation period
- 1 p.m. November 2 to 5 p.m. November 4, 2026
- Police estimate
- Bribes of up to ₹400 crore may have been collected
- Other reported amount
- About ₹100 crore in alleged fraud
- Next court hearing
- November 5, 2026