Chennai, Nov 3:
A special court for trial of cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act on Monday granted the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Chennai police three-day custody of former School Education Minister and senior DMK leader Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in connection with an alleged Rs 100-crore private schools cheating case. The order allows investigating officers to interrogate the former minister until 5 PM on November 4.
The DMK leader, who was arrested by the CCB on October 26 following a protracted probe, had earlier moved a regular bail petition alongside another application seeking the release of personal electronic gadgets and digital storage devices seized during raids on his premises. In response, the CCB filed an application seeking a five-day custodial remand to unearth the money trail and confront the accused with institutional records and witness depositions.
After hearing extensive arguments from both the prosecution and defence counsel, the special judge permitted custody starting from 1 PM on November 2 until 5 PM on November 4. Emphasizing prisoner welfare and procedural guidelines, the court directed the investigating team to obtain comprehensive medical fitness certificates from the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital both prior to commencing interrogation and immediately before producing him back in court.
The court further issued stern directions prohibiting police personnel from subjecting the former minister to any form of physical or mental harassment throughout the interrogation period, mandating that he be presented before the bench in sound health. The special court is scheduled to hear arguments on his pending bail plea and the petition seeking the return of seized electronic equipment on November 5 once the custodial interrogation concludes.