Former MLA Muthukumar was remanded in judicial custody until November 12 after he surrendered before a special court in Chennai on Thursday in an alleged multi-crore bribery case linked to approvals for private schools during the tenure of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.
The surrender followed the Supreme Court’s dismissal of Muthukumar’s anticipatory bail petition on Wednesday. He had been absconding and is considered by the police to be a key player in the alleged case. The Central Crime Branch of the Greater Chennai City Police registered the case after allegations that crores of rupees were collected in exchange for recognition and other approvals for private schools.
The police have claimed to possess evidence of irregularities in the process. The case concerns approvals that determine whether private schools can obtain recognition and operate within the regulatory framework. The supplied report does not provide details of the specific schools allegedly involved or the individual amounts said to have been collected.
Muthukumar surrendered before Judge L.S. Sathyamurthy of the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases in Chennai. His counsel sought first-class facilities in prison, submitting that he was an income-tax assessee and was entitled to such privileges. The court accepted the plea and directed prison authorities to provide first-class accommodation and medical assistance if required.
The principal accused, B.T. Arasakumar, was arrested earlier and remained in prison for more than 90 days before obtaining conditional bail. Poyyamozhi was arrested on October 26 and remanded in judicial custody. Muthukumar is described in the report as a close associate of the former Minister. He was elected as an MLA from the DMDK and later joined the DMK.
The CCB has separately sought five days of police custody for questioning Poyyamozhi. The police told the court that they wanted to question him about his alleged links with Muthukumar, the identities of people who allegedly paid money, the amounts collected from each person, the role of other alleged intermediaries and the movement of funds.
Poyyamozhi’s bail petition was also taken up by the special court on Thursday. The CCB sought time to file its response, and the hearing was adjourned to November 2. The court also adjourned to the same date a separate petition filed by Poyyamozhi seeking the return of electronic devices seized during searches at his residence.
