Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested Arasakumar, 59, who is described as the DMK media wing’s deputy chairman, in a case alleging a large-scale fraud linked to private school approvals.
According to the complaint, Arasakumar ran an unregistered body in Saligramam under the name “Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association” and allegedly promised to secure no-objection certificates (NOC), permanent recognition and permissions for upgrading nursery and primary schools to middle schools. School managements were said to have been asked to pay money in return for these clearances.
The complainant alleged that more than Rs 100 crore was collected from several private school administrators over the past two years, but the promised approvals were not obtained. There were also allegations that amounts were demanded based on building valuation, including charges calculated per square foot.
Following a complaint submitted to the CCB by Ilangovan, secretary of a federation of private school associations, police registered a case and investigated. After the inquiry indicated that the cheating allegations were true, Arasakumar, a resident of Majestic Colony in Saligramam, was arrested and is being questioned further.
Police sources said the probe could widen, with the possibility of more key persons, including a former MLA, being implicated in the case.
