Chennai’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested former School Education Minister Mahesh in connection with an alleged Rs 100 crore fraud involving private schools, according to a police statement.
Police said complaints alleged that money was collected from private school managements by promising to secure government recognition and other statutory approvals. Based on these allegations, the CCB registered a case and began an investigation.
As part of the probe, the CCB had earlier arrested three accused—Arasakumar, Suresh and Raja. Searches were also conducted at houses and offices linked to Mahesh and his associates in Tiruchirappalli, Chennai and Kallakurichi, during which documents and electronic devices were seized.
Mahesh was arrested on October 26 at Aminjikarai in Chennai and brought to the Commissionerate for questioning. Police said he will be produced before a court after the inquiry, and further investigation is under way.
