In a significant development, Chennai City Police have applied the Goondas Act against B.T. Arasakumar, the main accused in a Rs 100-crore fraud targeting private school managements in Tamil Nadu. Arasakumar, aged 59, is accused of running a cheating racket by promising school managements various approvals and clearances using his claimed political connections.
The preventive detention under the Goondas Act aims to halt Arasakumar from engaging in further fraudulent activities and protect public interest during the ongoing investigation. The case was initiated based on a complaint filed by D.C. Elangovan, Secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu.
Arasakumar allegedly duped private school managements by assuring them of securing official approvals like permanent recognition, school grade upgrades, and various clearances. Despite collecting substantial amounts from the schools, he purportedly failed to deliver on his promises or refund the money.
Following Arasakumar’s arrest, a surge in complaints from affected institutions has been noted by the Central Crime Branch, suggesting a larger scale of fraud than initially thought. Complaints have been lodged by representatives of 47 private schools, with reported financial losses exceeding Rs 7 crore.
Efforts are ongoing to locate another key suspect, Muthukumar, suspected to be involved in the fraud. Police are intensifying the search for him while investigating the full extent of the network and the total amount involved in the alleged scam.
