Tamil Nadu: PD Arasakumar sent to 3-day police custody in school approval scam
Tamil Nadu: Major legal action has been taken against P.D. Arasakumar, president of the Private Schools Association, in connection with an alleged ₹100 crore scam related to school approval and accreditation in Chennai. The court has ordered him into three-day police custody for questioning. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) is investigating the matter.
According to reports, P.D. Arasakumar was running an unregistered organization called the “Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association” in the Saligramam area of Chennai. It is alleged that he used his political and influential connections to secure permanent recognition, school upgrades, DTCP/CMDA permits, and other legal approvals for several private schools across the state.
According to investigating agencies, he extorted large sums of money from several school administrators in the name of this process. It is alleged that this entire network operated without any valid permissions and extorted crores of rupees from the schools. Initial investigations have revealed that the total amount of this alleged scam could exceed ₹100 crore.
The matter came to light when some school managements filed complaints alleging that they were charged with obtaining approvals and accreditations, but were not officially approved or refunded. Based on the complaints, a case was registered with the Chennai Central Crime Branch and an investigation was initiated.
During the investigation, police discovered numerous documents and evidence related to transactions that were considered serious. Following this, police took action and filed a case against P.D. Arasakumar and his associates. As the investigation progressed, another accused, identified as Prince, was arrested and presented in court.
Police say this entire network operated in an organized manner, taking money from schools and promising them various government approvals. However, the investigation revealed that in many cases, no legal procedures were followed, and the schools did not receive the required documents or permissions.
Following this, the Central Crime Branch filed a remand petition in the court for detailed interrogation of P.D. Arasakumar. In the application submitted to the CBCID Special Court, the police argued that a thorough interrogation of the accused was necessary to identify the entire network, transactions, and other individuals involved.
Considering the arguments, the court ordered the accused to be remanded to three days of police custody. During this period, the police will interrogate him regarding his financial transactions, bank accounts, other associates, and documents related to the alleged scam.
The education sector has also seen a stir since the case surfaced. Several private school organizations have expressed concern over such fraud and stated that transparency in the education sector is essential to prevent fraud or forgery.
According to police officials, the investigation is still in its initial stages and more names may emerge in the coming days. Currently, investigating agencies are working to unravel the entire network and determine who else may be involved in this alleged scam.
Overall, the alleged ₹100 crore school approval scam that has surfaced in Chennai has raised serious questions about the education system. Police investigations are ongoing, and more major revelations are expected in the coming days.
