Chennai, Oct 1:
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun an investigation into the alleged ₹100 crore corruption case involving former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
The case pertains to allegations that money was collected from private school managements on the promise of securing permanent recognition and other government approvals. The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) had registered a case in connection with the allegations and arrested DMK functionary P T Arasakumar and three of his relatives.
Anbil Mahesh has also been named as an accused in the case. The CCB had conducted searches at premises linked to the former minister and questioned him in connection with the allegations. Former DMK MLA Muthukumar is also being sought by the police in the case.
The ED has now taken up the matter based on the FIR registered by the CCB. The central agency is examining the alleged illegal financial transactions and the money trail in the case.
The ED has obtained documents relating to the case from the CCB and is examining the financial transactions connected with the alleged collection of money from private schools. The agency is also planning searches at premises linked to Anbil Mahesh and Arasakumar as part of its investigation.
The CCB had earlier conducted searches at nine locations in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli linked to Anbil Mahesh. Documents relating to properties and bank transactions, besides electronic devices, were reportedly seized during the searches. The former minister was subsequently questioned by the CCB for more than seven hours.
The case was initially based on complaints alleging that large sums were collected from private schools by promising to facilitate permanent recognition, approvals and other statutory clearances. The investigation has since been expanded to examine the role of several individuals and the flow of funds.
The ED probe is expected to focus on the alleged financial transactions and whether the proceeds of the alleged offence were dealt with in a manner attracting provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.