₹100-crore private school case accused gets default bail

B.T. Arasakumar, arrested for allegedly collecting more than ₹100 crore from private school administrators by promising to secure government approvals, was granted default bail by a special court in Chennai on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) after the investigating agency failed to file its final report within 90 days.

Special Judge L.S. Sathiyamurthy of the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act cases held that Arasakumar had acquired the statutory right to default bail. The Central Crime Branch registered a case against Arasakumar on June 27 under provisions of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act were later added.

According to the court order, Arasakumar, who claimed to be the founder-president of the Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association, allegedly collected money from private school administrators after claiming to have contacts in the government and could facilitate permissions, approvals and school upgradation.

Arasakumar was remanded in custody on June 27 and was subsequently taken into police custody for five days. The court noted that 92 days had elapsed without the final report being filed. The investigating agency sought more time, citing further searches to collect evidence. The court also noted that the Madras High Court had revoked his detention under the Goondas Act on September 28.

Arasakumar was ordered to be released on a ₹25,000 bond with two sureties. He must report to the police daily at 10 a.m. and must not abscond or tamper with evidence or witnesses.