Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
V Muthukumar, a key accused in an alleged cash-for-approvals scam involving private schools, surrendered before a special court in Chennai on Thursday, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Meanwhile, former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who is lodged in Puzhal Central Prison in connection with the same case, has moved the court for bail.
Special Court Judge L S Sathiyamurthy remanded Muthukumar to judicial custody until November 12, 2026.
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Muthukumar, 48, is the second accused in the case, which involves alleged transactions running into crores of rupees. A former DMDK MLA, he represented the Virudachalam constituency from 2011 to 2016. He reportedly joined the DMK after leaving the DMDK.
In its October 26, 2026, order rejecting Poyyamozhi’s anticipatory bail petition, the Madras High Court recorded State Public Prosecutor John Sathyan’s submission regarding Muthukumar.
The prosecutor submitted: “Investigation has revealed that A2, the absconding accused, is being shielded from the law-enforcing agency by the petitioner herein. Hence, it is the petitioner who is hampering the investigation. It is the intention of the police to confront the petitioner with A2.”
According to PTI, Judge Sathiyamurthy posted Poyyamozhi’s bail petition for hearing on November 2. The court will also hear his petition seeking the return of electronic gadgets seized from him.
The judge adjourned to November 2 the hearing on a Central Crime Branch petition seeking Poyyamozhi’s police custody for five days.
Poyyamozhi is accused of collecting crores of rupees from private school managements in the name of the party fund after allegedly promising to secure government recognition and other statutory approvals for them.
In his bail petition, Poyyamozhi said he had fully cooperated with the investigation on September 16, 17 and 18 and had responded promptly to the police notice. He said he had never evaded the investigation or tried to abscond or obstruct it and argued that there was no need or justification for custodial interrogation. He also undertook to continue cooperating with the investigation.
Poyyamozhi said he was not informed of the grounds for his arrest and was not given an arrest memorandum. He argued that the rejection of anticipatory bail alone was not a ground for arrest and that there was no allegation or material suggesting he might abscond, tamper with evidence, influence witnesses or hamper the investigation.
He said custodial interrogation would serve no investigative purpose in the absence of such circumstances. He also said he was a former MLA and minister with deep roots in society and was not a flight risk.
Poyyamozhi further said he was suffering from pancreatitis, which caused constant pain in his upper abdomen and required a specialised diet, continuous medical care and appropriate treatment. Citing the need for special care and medical attention, he sought bail.
The court will hear Poyyamozhi’s bail plea, his petition for the return of seized electronic gadgets and the police request for his custody on November 2, while Muthukumar will remain in judicial custody until November 12, 2026.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
