On Wednesday early in the morning, the Enforcement Directorate made the arrest of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji in a case involving money laundering.
The case involves allegations that Senthilbalaji conspired with transport corporation officials to appoint candidates recommended by his aides. The arrest came after an 18-hour interrogation at Senthilbalaji’s residence in Chennai. The Enforcement Directorate said that candidates were paid millions of rupees in bribes in exchange for jobs.
During Senthilbalaji’s tenure as the state transport minister in 2014 and 2015, the alleged irregularities are said to have occurred. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was led by him at the time. In December of 2018, he joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
In connection with the case, which was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, summons to Senthilbalaji and others were dismissed by the Madras High Court in May.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted a search on Senthilbalaji’s residence in Chennai, his bungalow in Karur, and other locations associated with him in the cities of Coimbatore and Karur on June 13.
Stalin portrayed the Implementation Directorate’s pursuits at Senthilbalaji chamber in the state secretariat as an attack on the rule of federalism.
In the mean time, the Common Moderate Union, the decision alliance drove by the DMK, has reported a public gathering in Coimbatore on June 16 to fight Senthilbalaji’s capture.
According to Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Congress, Senthilbalaji’s arrest was the result of the Narendra Modi-led government’s “political harassment and vendetta.” He stated, “Such brazen moves will not intimidate any of us in the Opposition.”