Chennai: During the 2021–2026 DMK regime, the secretary of the Private Schools Federation, Ilangovan, had filed a complaint at the Chennai Police Commissioner’s Office alleging that he was involved in a multi-crore rupee financial fraud by claiming to secure various government approvals for private schools, including permanent recognition, upgrading school standards, and DTCP permission.
In this case, P.T. Arasakumar, the former president of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Private Schools Associations and a DMK functionary, was arrested on June 27 for allegedly using his influence to defraud 177 private schools by collecting more than Rs. 100 crore from them. Later, the Goondas Act was also invoked against him.
With the arrest of two more people connected to him, Suresh and Raja, the Central Crime Branch police have so far questioned more than 250 people and recorded their statements.
Inquiry with Anbil Mahesh
Following this, a case was also registered against former minister Anbil Mahesh under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Subsequently, on the 16th of last month, the Central Crime Branch police conducted searches at Anbil Mahesh’s houses in Chennai and Tiruchi, as well as at the premises of his aides.
Following this, Anbil Mahesh was questioned at the Chennai Vepery Police Commissioner’s Office on the 18th of last month. In addition, multiple rounds of questioning were conducted with his former special assistant Arul Murugan and his aide Vaaladi Karthik from Lalgudi in Tiruchi.
Police investigations have revealed that Muthukumar, a close friend of Anbil Mahesh, carried out these illegal financial transactions through a company called ‘Global 360 Degree’ in T. Nagar, Chennai.
Since Muthukumar has remained absconding, a ‘lookout’ notice has been issued to all airports to prevent him from fleeing abroad.
Meanwhile, as there may have been illegal transactions worth several crores of rupees in this case, the Central Crime Branch police informed the Enforcement Directorate.
Enforcement Directorate registers case
Accordingly, based on the FIR registered by the Central Crime Branch police, the Enforcement Directorate has also registered a separate case and begun a preliminary investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate is examining evidence obtained from the police, including 20 bank accounts belonging to Arasakumar and his family members and 29 bank accounts related to Muthukumar.
If sufficient evidence is gathered in this case and it is found that there are grounds to believe that illegal money transactions took place, the Enforcement Directorate also plans to conduct direct searches at premises belonging to former minister Anbil Mahesh, P.T. Arasakumar, and Muthukumar.
In that sense, the Enforcement Directorate’s entry into the investigation in this case has created a major stir in DMK circles.
