On Monday, the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act in Chennai remanded former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to judicial custody until 6 November. Judge L S Sathiyamurthy delivered the order after the minister was produced at 10:10 pm following a medical check‑up at a government hospital.
Poyyamozhi was arrested after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application. Defence lawyers Wilson and Saravanan raised objections, arguing the police violated proper arrest protocols by detaining him in senior advocate Wilson’s office.
Prosecutor John Sathyan cited a Rs 400 crore money trail linked to private school managements that allegedly promised government recognition and statutory approvals. He also warned that evidence could be destroyed and witnesses influenced, justifying the remand.
Tamil Nadu Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar seized the opportunity to strike against the DMK, accusing the party of exploiting school funds. "All schools were blackmailed and money was collected," Kumar said, labeling the arrest a "matter of shame for DMK."
The case follows months of scrutiny over Poyyamozhi’s former role as School Education Minister, with the high court previously dismissing his anticipatory bail. The DMK, meanwhile, has demanded access to party fund files, a request that has yet to be fulfilled.
The court will hear the next arguments on Friday, and the investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act is expected to continue, with prosecutors hoping to secure further evidence before the remand period ends.