Chennai: B T Arasakumar, 59, who heads an unregistered association of private schools in Tamil Nadu, was arrested by the central crime branch (CCB) of Chennai police on charges of cheating private school managements across the state of more than ₹100 crore, by promising to secure school recognition, grade upgrades and statutory approvals through his political and official contacts.Originally a DMK functionary, Arasakumar left the party and joined BJP, only to rejoin DMK a few years ago. He was arrested on a complaint by Elangovan, secretary of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu.The complaint said that private school managements across the state had faced difficulties over the past two years in obtaining permanent recognition, grade upgrades and approvals from agencies such as DTCP and CMDA. Arasakumar, who operated an unregistered organisation under the name ‘Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association’, claimed he could obtain these approvals through his political and official connections.Police said he collected money from numerous school administrators but failed to secure the promised approvals or refund the amounts, resulting in a fraud estimated at more than ₹100 crore.Based on the complaint, the CCB registered a case and launched an investigation. Police said he would be produced before a magistrate for remand on Sunday.
