Chennai, October 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday condemned the arrest of former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, accusing the Vijay-led government of using politically motivated action to divert public attention from alleged administrative failures, a deteriorating law and order situation and corruption.
Mahesh was arrested by the Central Crime Branch after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in a case involving allegations that around ₹100 crore had been fraudulently collected from private schools by promising recognition and statutory approvals.
Following his arrest, the former minister was taken to the Chennai Police Commissioner’s office, where Central Crime Branch officers questioned him for more than two hours.
Reacting to the development in a post on X, Stalin alleged that the government was pursuing a political vendetta against Mahesh despite his cooperation with investigators. He maintained that the former minister had been cooperating with the inquiry into the allegations against him.
The DMK chief claimed that the administration hoped the arrest would divert public attention, even if only temporarily, from its own shortcomings. He linked the police action to what he described as a worsening law and order situation and growing corruption within the government.
Stalin asserted that arresting Mahesh would neither resolve public grievances nor shield the ruling dispensation from mounting public anger. He also indicated that the allegations against the former minister would be contested through the legal process.
The case centres on allegations that money was collected from private school managements on assurances that recognition and other statutory permissions would be secured. The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the rejection of anticipatory bail does not establish guilt.
The arrest came after the High Court dismissed Mahesh’s anticipatory bail plea earlier in the day, paving the way for investigators to take him into custody.
Stalin’s response framed the arrest as politically motivated and signalled the DMK’s support for the former minister as the legal proceedings continue. He maintained that the government would not be able to deflect public criticism through arrests.
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