CHENNAI: A Chennai court on Tuesday declined to grant bail to former DMK Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who is held in the alleged cash-for-approvals scam involving private schools.
Judge L S Sathiyamurthy of the Special Court for cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act dismissed the Dravidian party leader's petition seeking bail.
After the Madras High Court dismissed Poyyamozhi's anticipatory bail application, police arrested him on 26 October 2026.
The Madras High Court dismissed Poyyamozhi's anticipatory bail plea in the graft case against him, holding that he faces the accusation of having received money from school managements for "party fund" and that its "final destination" cannot be unearthed unless he is interrogated in custody.
In his bail petition, Poyyamozhi submitted that he had fully cooperated with the investigation on September 16, 17 and 18 and had also responded to the police notice promptly.
He had never evaded the investigation, attempted to abscond, or obstructed the course of the investigation.
He also undertakes to cooperate with the investigation in future, he added.
He said the grounds of arrest were not informed to him and no memorandum of arrest was issued to him.
It was well settled that a mere rejection of anticipatory bail in itself was no ground for directing his arrest.
There was no allegation or material to suggest that he was likely to abscond, tamper with evidence, influence witnesses or otherwise interfere with or hamper the investigation.
He added that he was also a former MLA and minister with deep roots in society and was not a flight risk.
He said he was suffering from Pancreatitis, which causes him constant upper abdominal pain and necessitates a specialised dietary regimen, continuous medical care and appropriate treatment.
In view of his medical condition, he requires special care and medical attention, which would be essential for safeguarding his health and well-being, he added, and requested that he be enlarged on bail.
(With inputs from PTI)