A Chennai special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act refused bail to former Tamil Nadu school education minister Anbil Mahesh on 10 November 2026. The application arose from an investigation into alleged payments sought from private schools for recognition and related approvals.
Why the court refused bail
The prosecution alleged that people associated with the former minister collected money from school managements by promising approvals. The defence argued that Mahesh had cooperated with investigators and that a general concern about interference with evidence did not justify continued custody.
The court said the material before it indicated a prima facie case and considered that the investigation was still at an early stage. It accepted that release at that point could hamper the investigation. The findings were made while deciding bail.
High Court hearing sought
Mahesh was arrested on 26 October 2026 after the Madras High Court declined to grant anticipatory bail. Following the special court’s decision, his counsel sought an urgent hearing before the High Court on 11 November. The High Court indicated that it would hear the application once numbered and listed.