Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) police on Monday arrested Mahesh, a former DMK minister who earlier held the School Education portfolio, in connection with a bribery case involving alleged payments for private school approvals.
Investigators allege that bribes amounting to as much as Rs 100 crore were collected to facilitate recognition for private schools. The CCB registered a case and conducted inquiries, including searches at locations linked to Mahesh.
The case has also been filed against B.D. Arasakumar, described as a private schools association leader, and Muthukumar, said to be Mahesh’s aide. Police questioned Mahesh as part of the probe.
Mahesh had approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. Justice V. Lakshmi Narayanan dismissed the plea, following which the CCB proceeded with the arrest on Monday evening.
The report noted that Mahesh is the first former DMK minister to be arrested in a bribery case after the TAVEK government came to power. It also stated that he is the grandson of Anbil Dharmalingam.
