Former DMK MLA Muthukumar surrendered before a special court in Chennai on Thursday in connection with an alleged private school cheating case involving more than Rs 100 crore, a day after the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

Judge L.S. Sathyamurthy of the special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act remanded him to judicial custody until November 12 and directed that he be lodged at Puzhal Central Prison. The court also directed prison authorities to provide him with first-class facilities, ensure necessary medical treatment and allow him to wear his own clothes during his incarceration.

Rs 100 crore+alleged amount involved in the case
November 12judicial custody ordered until
4people arrested before Thursday's surrender

Case follows former minister's arrest

The case is being investigated by the Central Crime Branch of the Greater Chennai Police. Before Muthukumar's surrender, investigators had arrested four people, including former Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association president B.T. Arasakumar, and two men identified as Suresh and Raja.

During Thursday's Madras High Court hearing on Mahesh's plea to quash the FIR against him, prosecutors informed the court that the second accused in the case had surrendered before the special court that day after the Supreme Court refused him relief, and that the prosecution would seek his custody for interrogation, LiveLaw reported. The High Court adjourned that hearing to November 10.

Source: LiveLaw

The allegations in the case are that large sums were collected from private school managements on promises of securing permanent recognition, upgradation and planning approvals, and that the promises were not fulfilled. These are allegations under investigation and have not been proved in court; the accused are entitled to defend themselves as the case proceeds.

Source: Careers360 case explainer