A special court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases in Chennai has dismissed the bail petition filed by former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, The Hindu reported on 10 November 2026.

Judge L.S. Sathiyamoorthy heard arguments on November 5 and reserved orders. The court has now dismissed the plea, according to the report.

The case involves an alleged multi-crore bribery scam in granting government recognition and approvals to private schools during the previous DMK regime. The Federation of Private Schools complained that bribes amounting to several crores were collected, according to The Hindu.

The alleged amounts

The alleged amount is reported as over Rs 100 crore. The prosecution has also mentioned figures up to Rs 400 crore in court, and the defence questioned the shifting figures, according to DT Next. The New Indian Express puts the prosecution's estimate at about Rs 400 crore.

The figures are allegations made in court, not proven facts. The case is under investigation, and all allegations against Anbil Mahesh remain unproven.

Anbil Mahesh was arrested on October 26 after the Madras High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail application, holding that he faces the accusation of having received money from school managements.

Custody so far

He has been lodged in Puzhal Central Prison for 16 days and was remanded in judicial custody till November 18, according to the report.

Police took him into custody for three days, November 2 to 4, for interrogation.

The judge accepted the prosecution's submission that the investigation was at a preliminary stage and that co-accused former MLA Muthukumaran had to be taken into police custody for further interrogation. The prosecution said fresh evidence had emerged during custodial interrogation, according to The Hindu and DT Next.

Next step

His next option is to move the Madras High Court for relief, according to the New Indian Express.

The dismissal of the bail plea does not decide the case. It means Anbil Mahesh remains in custody while the investigation continues, and the court will hear the matter further as the prosecution presents its case.