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Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with an alleged money laundering case related to a job racket, according to Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources. The arrest followed an 18-hour interrogation at a dozen places in Chennai and Karur, including the Balaji’s official residence in Chennai, his official chamber at the State Secretariat at Fort St. George, and his brother Ashok’s house in Chennai.
The case is linked to a job-for-cash scam in the state’s transport department, which allegedly occurred during Balaji’s tenure as Transport minister in the AIADMK regime from 2011-16. The case was booked in March 2021, on the eve of the Assembly elections, when Chennai police filed a chargesheet against Balaji and 46 others, which included senior retired and serving officers of various transport corporations. The charges related to a recruitment scam that shook the state in 2014-15.
Last month, the Supreme Court cleared the way for an investigation, overriding a previous decision by the Madras High Court on September 1, 2022, dismissing ED summons sent to Balaji and others concerning a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case.
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Balaji, who currently holds Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition porfolios was arrested under the provisions of the PMLA. This came after extensive searches held on Tuesday. The ED searches at the minister’s chamber at the State Secretariat were the first of their kind.
Following his arrest, Balaji complained of chest discomfort, and was taken to the Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital in Chennai at around 2.30 am for a medical checkup.
Senior DMK ministers, including Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Health Minister M Subramanian and Public Welfare Department (PWD) Minister E V Velu, Law Minister S Regupathy were among those who rushed to the hospital but were reportedly not allowed to meet the arrested minister.
Regupathy expressed doubts about the adherence to basic procedures (of arrest) by the ED. He criticised the method of operation as “unwarranted and inhuman,” causing unnecessary stress and strain on Balaji. He also condemned the withholding of information about the minister’s current health condition and the circumstances of his arrest from family and friends, noting, “people behind this arrest will be accountable before the law.”
“If they are doing it with power in Delhi, let’s not forget the fact that their power is not permanent,” he said.
Minister Udhayanidhi, who visited the hospital, said that the DMK would be taking legal action against any violations involved in Balaji’s arrest.
Minister Sekar Babu said Balaji was unconscious, exhibiting a swelling near his ears, and had variations in his ECG. Balaji is being closely monitored by doctors in the ICU, Babu said.
Despite the outcry, the ED is yet to release any official statement regarding the arrest or searches. Top ED sources said they were yet to complete the arrest procedures as Balaji had variations in blood pressure and ECG.
The probe against Balaji is in connection with the allegations of conspiring with transport corporation officials to issue appointment orders for candidates recommended by his aides, and for alleged bribery involving appointments in various transport corporations, including MTC, Chennai.
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