TRICHY/ CHENNAI: Former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was booked for corruption. At least six premises in Chennai and Trichy connected to him were searched by the Chennai central crime branch (CCB) personnel on Wednesday. He has also been summoned to appear before the CCB for inquiry on Sept 18.With this, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi becomes the fourth DMK former minister to face corruption charges after the TVK govt assumed office.The case stems from a complaint from the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, alleging that school managements were cheated of several crores of rupees after being promised permanent recognition, upgradation, DTCP and other govt approvals during the DMK regime. On June 27, the CCB arrested kingpin B T Arasakumar, 59, and said the case involved the illegal collection of more than Rs 100 crore from private schools.Statements, govt records and electronic evidence led them to examine the role of Anbil Mahesh, who was school education minister when the alleged transactions took place, police said.On Wednesday, more than 15 officials from CCB commenced the search at the former minister’s Trichy residence at Thennur Anna Nagar around 7am, and it lasted for about eight hours. During which entry was denied to anyone from outside. Senior DMK leader and deputy leader of the opposition KN Nehru was denied entry at least thrice during the day.K N Nehru said police had told him that they had “orders from the top” not to allow anyone until the searches were completed. DMK cadres had gathered in large numbers outside Anbil Mahesh’s residence and raised slogans against the govt and police. The tension eased after about 45 minutes when Anbil Mahesh came out and urged the cadres not to protest.Speaking to reporters after the searches, Anbil Mahesh said: “Police have taken all documents relating to the education department that I had kept. Those are related to the achievements and the schemes brought in by the earlier govt.” He said the case was politically motivated because he and other senior leaders like K N Nehru had been speaking out against the govt constantly on pressing issues like building a new secretariat or ‘imposed’ bypolls.“Nehru raised issues against the govt in the assembly and immediately there was a DVAC raid. This is nothing but diversion tactics,” he said.Anbil Mahesh said he was fully aware of who was behind all these searches. “When the right time comes, we are waiting to pay it back,” he added.
