Special court reserves orders on Central Crime Branch’s petition for custody of Anbil Mahesh

Former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was arrested on October 26 in a case of alleged bribery in the grant of permanent recognition to private schools during the DMK government. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU A special court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases on Friday (October 30, 2026) reserved orders on a petition filed by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for five days of police custody of former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The court adjourned the case to November 2.Mr. Poyyamozhi was arrested on October 26 in a case of alleged bribery in the grant of permanent recognition to private schools during the DMK government.Mr. Poyyamozhi was produced in the court when the petition came up before Judge L.S. Sathyamoorthy.Opposing police custody, senior counsel Abudukumar Rajarathinam, appearing for Mr. Poyyamozhi, submitted that the former Minister had already been questioned for eight hours on September 18 and had fully cooperated with the investigators. The defence had also offered to provide any additional document, required by the investigators, leaving no reason for further custodial interrogation, he argued.Additional Public Prosecutor Usha Rani told the court that Mr. Poyyamozhi would receive appropriate medical care in prison. She sought time to respond to his request for home-cooked food, prompting the defence to question the need for further delay.Mr. Sathyamoorthy then questioned investigating officer Senthil about the need for custodial interrogation. The officer replied that the police must establish the movement of the alleged proceeds of the offence, examine the assets of Mr. Poyyamozhi and his family members, identify the alleged benamis, and scrutinise the property documents relating to his relatives. The investigators also need to ascertain details of events during the period when former MLA Muthukumar was absconding, he said. Muthukumar is a key accused in the case.Mr. Senthil sought five days of custody and assured the court that the police would comply with all conditions imposed by it.The judge reserved orders and directed that Mr. Poyyamozhi be produced before the court on November 2. Published - October 30, 2026 08:22 pm IST