The reported arrest of former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in connection with a suspected private-school approvals scam has brought renewed attention to corruption investigations involving several former ministers of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
The case concerns alleged irregularities in the approval process for private schools. Such approvals are important because schools must meet government requirements before they can operate or receive official recognition. Investigators would need to establish whether rules were violated, whether officials misused their positions and whether any financial wrongdoing took place. The allegations must be examined through the legal process, and the outcome will depend on the evidence.
The development has also drawn attention to other former DMK ministers who have faced corruption allegations or investigations relating to their time in public office. The cases involve different departments and cover issues such as government contracts, tender procedures, alleged financial irregularities and the handling of public funds.
Among the former ministers mentioned in connection with these cases are KN Nehru, EV Velu, V Senthil Balaji, MRK Panneerselvam and Anitha R Radhakrishnan. The allegations against them relate to different matters and should be considered separately, based on the evidence and the status of each investigation.
Other Former Ministers Facing Corruption Investigations
Several other former ministers have also faced investigations into alleged wrongdoing during their time in government. These cases are being handled by investigating agencies, including the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). The allegations differ from one case to another. <Cite refs={[“turn451795search5″,”turn451795search12″,”turn451795search14”]}/>
- KN Nehru: The DVAC registered a case against the former Municipal Administration Minister and others in September 2026 over alleged irregularities in government tenders and contracts awarded between 2021 and 2025. The allegations include claims of illegal payments connected to public contracts. <Cite refs={[“turn451795search5”]}/>
- EV Velu: The former minister has faced investigations relating to alleged irregularities in road construction contracts. In a separate case, investigators registered a case concerning the alleged unauthorised excavation of material from a lake bed. <Cite refs={[“turn451795search12″,”turn451795search14”]}/>
- V Senthil Balaji: The former minister has faced legal proceedings and corruption-related investigations. One case involving allegations of financial irregularities has also faced developments in the courts, highlighting the role of judicial review in such investigations. <Cite refs={[“turn451795search2”]}/>
- MRK Panneerselvam: The former minister has been named in reports about corruption allegations involving former DMK ministers. The specific status and details of any case concerning him should be verified separately before drawing conclusions about the allegations.
- Anitha R Radhakrishnan: The former minister has also faced legal action in a corruption-related matter, according to reports on investigations involving former DMK officials. The allegations and legal status must be considered in the context of the individual case. <Cite refs={[“turn451795search2”]}/>
Private-School Approval Case Under Investigation
In the case involving Anbil Mahesh, the Chennai Central Crime Branch alleges that money was collected from private-school managements by promising government approvals, permanent recognition and permission to upgrade schools. Investigators have reported examining transactions involving numerous school managements. The former minister was arrested on October 26, 2026, after the Madras High Court rejected his request for anticipatory bail. He has denied wrongdoing, and the allegations have not been established at trial. <Cite refs={[“turn451795search0″,”turn451795search1”]}/>
The investigation has raised questions about how government approvals were handled and whether political connections were used to influence official decisions. Authorities will need to examine financial records, witness statements and other evidence to establish the facts.
Legal Process and Political Impact
The investigations have become an important political issue in Tamil Nadu, with the current government pursuing cases involving members of the previous administration. At the same time, each case must be judged on its own evidence and legal merits.
An arrest, an FIR or an ongoing investigation does not by itself establish guilt. Courts will consider the available evidence and the arguments presented by both the prosecution and the accused before reaching legal conclusions.
As investigations continue, further developments may emerge through court hearings, additional evidence and decisions by the relevant agencies. The cases are likely to remain under public scrutiny because they concern the use of public office, government contracts and the accountability of elected representatives.