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Madras High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail Before Arrest

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, former Tamil Nadu education minister, was arrested in Chennai on October 26, 2026.
The Madras High Court rejected Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi's anticipatory bail petition hours before the arrest.
Prosecutors allege Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi helped collect Rs 400 crore from 177 private schools for approvals.
B.T. Arasakumar allegedly gathered money as a “party fund” and promised recognitions and clearances.
Former MLA Muthukumar surrendered on October 29, 2026 and was remanded until November 12.

Summary

Poyyamozhi’s bail petition will be heard by the special Prevention of Corruption Act court on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
He argues the FIR lacked the Section 17A prior approval required under the 1988 Prevention of Corruption Act.
He claims police violated Section 36 of the 2023 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita by not issuing an arrest memo.
He notes his pancreatitis, clean criminal record, and lack of flight or evidence-tampering risk.

Summary

Tamil Nadu government arrested a senior DMK functionary, the first such detention since the TVK administration assumed power.
DMK chief M.K. Stalin labeled the arrest a political vendetta in an official statement.
BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy questioned TVK government’s motives behind the arrest.
Enforcement Directorate opened a money-laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in September.

History

The TANSI land-deal case, filed by activist Subramanian Swamy in 1996, led to former AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa’s conviction on 9 October 2000 under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with a two-year rigorous imprisonment and a INR50,000 fine. Her acquittal in December 2001 and Supreme Court upholding in 2003 set a precedent that underpins the 2026 arrests of ex-DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and a senior party functionary.

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The TANSI land-deal case, filed by activist Subramanian Swamy in 1996, led to former AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa’s conviction on 9 October 2000 under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with a two-year rigorous imprisonment and a INR50,000 fine. Her acquittal in December 2001 and Supreme Court upholding in 2003 set a precedent that underpins the 2026 arrests of ex-DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and a senior party functionary.

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