The Anbil Mahesh Anticipatory Bail case came before the Madras High Court on Monday, October 26. Former Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh sought protection from arrest in an alleged ₹100-crore corruption case. The allegations concern the grant of recognition to private schools.
Justice V. Lakshminarayan dismissed the former minister’s anticipatory bail application.
However, the High Court has yet to release the detailed order explaining its decision.
FIR Alleges Corruption in Private School Recognition
The case originated from a complaint by the former General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association.
The complainant accused Association President BT Arasukumar and other office bearers of collecting money from private schools.
According to the complaint, they collected membership and subscription fees while promising to secure official approvals.
These approvals included no-objection certificates (NOCs), licences, school recognition and renewals.
However, the complainant alleged that the Association failed to provide the promised assistance.
The allegations subsequently led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR).
Police Initially Invoke BNS Provisions
Authorities initially registered the FIR under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR invoked Sections 316(5) and 318(4), read with Section 3(5) of the BNS.
These provisions concern criminal breach of trust, cheating and acts involving common intention.
The investigation initially focused on the alleged collection of money from private schools.
Subsequently, the prosecution sought to expand the scope of the case.
Prevention of Corruption Act Provisions Added
The prosecution submitted an alteration report before the Metropolitan Magistrate.
Through the report, prosecutors sought to add Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Section 7 addresses offences relating to public servants obtaining undue advantage.
Meanwhile, Section 12 concerns abetment of offences under the Act.
The prosecution also sought to include former Education Minister Anbil Mahesh as an accused.
Following this development, the case proceeded against the former minister.
Anbil Mahesh Denies Receiving Illegal Payments
Anbil Mahesh challenged the allegations and sought anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court.
He argued that the prosecution had produced no record showing that he received illegal gratification.
Furthermore, he maintained that investigators had not attributed any specific overt act to him.
According to Mahesh, the allegations did not establish his direct involvement in the alleged collection of money.
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the complaint.
Former Minister Questions Motive Behind Complaint
Mahesh argued that internal differences within the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association had contributed to the dispute.
He referred to disagreements between the de facto complainant and Association President BT Arasukumar.
According to his submissions, these differences arose following the Association elections and the change in government.
He therefore questioned the basis of the allegations against him.
Moreover, Mahesh contended that the complaint and witness statements referred to other individuals collecting money.
He argued that those individuals allegedly invoked his name while approaching private schools.
However, he maintained that such allegations did not establish any wrongdoing on his part.
Former Minister Also Seeks Quashing of FIR
Apart from seeking anticipatory bail, Mahesh approached the Madras High Court to challenge the FIR.
He sought the quashing of the criminal proceedings against him.
His challenge questioned the allegations connecting him to the alleged illegal payments.
However, the available report does not specify the outcome of the separate FIR-quashing petition.
Anbil Mahesh Anticipatory Bail Plea Dismissed
Justice V. Lakshminarayan considered the former minister’s application for anticipatory bail.
Mahesh maintained that the prosecution lacked material connecting him to illegal gratification.
He also argued that investigators had not identified any specific criminal act attributable to him.
Nevertheless, the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail application on October 26.
The detailed judicial order remains awaited.
Therefore, the Court’s precise reasons for rejecting the application are not yet available.
Conclusion
The Madras High Court has rejected former Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh’s anticipatory bail plea in an alleged ₹100-crore corruption case.
The allegations concern money collected from private schools in exchange for promises of official recognition and other approvals.
The prosecution subsequently invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and included Mahesh as an accused.
However, the former minister denied receiving illegal payments or committing any specific wrongdoing.
Justice V. Lakshminarayan dismissed the anticipatory bail application. The detailed order will clarify the legal grounds for the decision.
