The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a probe into alleged money laundering connected to a Rs 100-crore bribery case involving private school approvals in Tamil Nadu. DMK former minister Mahesh, 48, along with his relatives and aides, has been brought under the agency’s investigation.
The case originated from the Chennai Central Crime Branch, which arrested DMK communications wing deputy chairman Arasakumar, 58, and two associates. Police said the trio allegedly collected bribes by promising to secure government recognition for private schools.
During questioning, investigators said they found alleged links to former minister Mahesh, his relative Valadi Karthik, aides Arun Prakash and Prakash, former MLA Muthukumar, and Muthukumar’s aides Saravanan and Ramesh. Following this, police conducted searches at the residences of Arasakumar, Muthukumar, Mahesh and others, and seized 44 documents said to be connected to the offence.
Based on the police investigation, the ED has obtained case records from the Chennai Central Crime Branch and started examining the money-laundering angle. Officials have also decided to conduct searches at the premises of those now under the ED’s probe, sources said.
