Ambil Mahesh Poyyamozhi seeks bail in ₹400 crore private schools scam case

Former School Education Minister Ambil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has applied to the Madras High Court for bail in the ₹400 crore+ private schools scam case. According to a report by The Hindu, Poyyamozhi has sought bail citing his serious health issues. He stated that he is suffering from a disease called 'acute-on-chronic pancreatitis', which requires constant medical treatment.

On Thursday, 12 November, 2026, in the bail application listed for hearing before Justice V. Lakshminarayanan, the former minister stated that he suffers from constant pain in the upper part of his stomach. Due to this condition, he requires a special type of diet and proper medical treatment. The application further adds that since his arrest on 26 October, 2026, his body weight has decreased by approximately 3 to 4 kg and there has been a significant drop in his platelet count. Poyyamozhi argued that he will not receive adequate medical care and constant supervision in judicial custody.

The applicant, the former minister, has assured the court that he will comply with whatever conditions the court imposes for granting bail. He stated that the High Court had denied him anticipatory bail on 26 October, 2026, after which he was arrested by the Chennai Central Crime Branch police. Since then, the situation has changed significantly. Previously, the High Court had denied anticipatory bail because the co-accused Muthukumar was absconding, but now that the co-accused has surrendered before the relevant Special Court on 29 October, 2026, the bail application can be considered.

Poyyamozhi further stated that the investigating agency interrogated him for about two days after taking him into custody. Despite being granted police custody, the Special Court refused to order his release on bail on 10 November, 2026. The police opposed bail on the grounds that Muthukumar's car driver, Saravanan, is still absconding. The police relied on a video clip in which the driver is seen placing bags filled with cash in a car, allegedly belonging to the former minister.

Without accepting the authenticity of this video, the applicant clarified that neither he nor anyone associated with him is seen in the video. He strictly denied having received any cash from car driver Saravanan at his former official residence. The application states, "This individual has been set up by certain vested interests to create evidence against the applicant. A random video shot by the alleged driver of co-accused A-2 cannot be used as decisive material against the applicant. In any case, this video is not sufficient to keep the applicant continuously in jail."

Ambil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been a prominent leader in Tamil Nadu politics and served as the School Education Minister in the state government. He is associated with a Tamil Nadu political party and has previously held various government positions.