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Politics
DMK leader’s home raided in Rs 100-crore fraud case, supporters gather outside
The Central Crime Branch searched former Education Minister Anbil Mahesh's residence in Trichy in connection with a Rs 100 crore case. The inquiry follows a complaint alleging collections from private schools through promises of government clearances.
The Central Cribe Branch is probing allegations that over Rs 100 crore was collected from private schools by promising government approvals.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Wednesday morning conducted a search at the residence of former Tamil Nadu school education minister and DMK leader Anbil Mahesh in Tiruchirappalli in connection with an alleged Rs 100-crore fraud involving private schools.
The search at the DMK leader's residence is part of the CCB's investigation into allegations that large sums of money were collected from private school managements on promises of securing government approvals and clearances.
As the search continued, several DMK workers gathered outside the former minister’s residence.
The CCB had arrested another DMK functionary, BT Arasakumar, in June in connection with the case. Police have alleged that more than Rs 100 crore was collected from several school managements by promising assistance in obtaining approvals, including recognition and other statutory clearances.
According to the allegations under investigation, Arasakumar operated an unregistered organisation called the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association and claimed that he could use his political and official connections to facilitate approvals for private schools. These included permanent recognition, grade upgrades and approvals from various government agencies.
According to reports, then school education minister Anbil Mahesh and senior officials of the School Education Department attended the launch of the association in December 2024.
The CCB's investigation has since expanded, with a large number of complaints being received from private school managements.
Following Arasakumar’s arrest, the Tamil Nadu Police subsequently invoked the Goondas Act against him.
The search at the DMK leader's residence in Tiruchirappalli was underway on Wednesday.
