Former DMK minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has approached the Madras High Court with a petition to quash a First Information Report (FIR) filed against him. The FIR pertains to an alleged bribery scam involving substantial sums of money, reportedly in crores of rupees, aimed at securing recognition and approvals for private schools.

The case was brought to the attention of Justice V Lakshminarayanan during a hearing on Thursday. The court has scheduled the matter for further examination on November 10. Poyyamozhi’s legal team, led by senior counsel P Wilson, is contesting the validity of the FIR and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

Details of the Arrest

On October 26, 2026, Poyyamozhi was at his office to discuss his legal strategy following the dismissal of his anticipatory bail petition by the High Court. During this meeting, Wilson alleged that police officers unexpectedly entered the office and arrested Poyyamozhi. He claimed that the police presence was excessive, with around 40 personnel stationed on the staircase from the ground floor to the third floor.

Wilson argued that the police’s actions were inappropriate, stating, “How can the police come to an advocate’s office and arrest a person who has come to discuss his case?” He emphasised that there should be safeguards in place for legal representatives and their clients, especially during discussions regarding ongoing cases.

Wilson further asserted that the police’s conduct violated Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. He called for the establishment of a standard operating procedure for police conduct during arrests, particularly in legal settings, to maintain decorum and respect for the legal profession.

Contradictory Accounts Presented

The prosecution, represented by Public Prosecutor R John Sathyan and Additional Public Prosecutor Arun Anbumani, provided a differing narrative regarding the arrest. They contended that the police had been informed of Poyyamozhi’s presence at the advocate’s office and had waited outside for over one-and-a-half hours. They maintained that Poyyamozhi was invited to step outside before his arrest, asserting that the police did not enter the office premises.

Justice Lakshminarayanan referred to an order from the Special Court, which indicated that Poyyamozhi had been arrested outside the advocate’s office. The judge suggested that Wilson could challenge this order if he deemed it necessary. The conflicting accounts from both the defence and prosecution have raised questions about the circumstances of the arrest, contributing to the complexity of the case.

The High Court is set to reconvene on November 10 to further consider Poyyamozhi’s plea to quash the FIR. The outcome will depend on the court’s evaluation of the evidence and arguments presented by both sides regarding the legality of the arrest and the validity of the allegations against the former minister.

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