Man arrested for allegedly cheating private schools in TN to the tune of over ₹100 crore

BT Arasakumar | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Greater Chennai Police’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Saturday (27 June 2026) arrested BT Arasakumar (59), who runs an unregistered private school association. He was arrested for allegedly cheating managements of private schools in Tamil Nadu of more than ₹100 crore by promising to secure government approval and recognition for their institutions.

Police said the accused allegedly ran an unregistered organization called ‘Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association’ and claimed to have political and bureaucratic influence to get permanent recognition, promotion of the school, DTCP/CMDA approval and other statutory permissions for private schools.

According to the police, the case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Ilangovan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Federation of Private Schools Associations. The complainant alleged that over the past two years, several managements of private schools, which were facing problems in getting approvals, were forced to pay large sums of money after Arasakumar assured them that he would secure the required permissions.

Police said the accused did not get the promised approvals or return the money.

Based on the initiative, the Central Criminal Investigation Department registered the case and started an investigation. A special team from the Economic Document Fraud Branch (EDF-III) led by Deputy Commissioner VE Senthil arrested Arasakumar on Saturday on the instructions of Chennai Police Commissioner A. Amalraj.

The accused will be produced before the court after interrogation, the police said.

Published – 28 Jun 2026 01:00 IST