Senthil Balaji, Power and Excise Minister of Tamil Nadu
V Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu’s Power and Excise Minister was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) after a series of raids conducted. The searches were conducted at different places belonging to the minister in connection with money laundering case.
The minister was interrogated for a long period of time under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) into a cash-for-jobs scam.
The raids actually started on Tuesday at minister’s place. The minister was then informed about his arrest at 1:30 a.m. Shortly after getting the information of arrest, the minister started complaining about chest pain. He was rushed to Omandurar government hospital in Chennai.
Power and Excise Minister weeps badly
The DMK leader was spotted sobbing profusely inside an ambulance as his followers sang anti-ED chants outside. The physicians noticed changes in his ECG, therefore he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM Slams BJP Over ED Raids; Says It’s “Against The Values Of Cooperative Federalism”
V Senthil Balaji to undergo bypass surgery
Post arrest, Mr. Senthil’s wife went to the Madras High Court. Now, the bench of Justices J Nisha Banu and D Bharatha Chakravarthy has agreed to hear the habeas corpus petition.
Now, the minister is advised to go through a bypass surgery as the doctors notified 3 blockages in his heart. “State minister Senthil Balaji underwent coronary angiogram today; bypass surgery is advised at the earliest,” Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Chennai said in its medical health bulletin.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji breaks down as ED officials took him into custody in connection with a money laundering case and brought him to Omandurar Government in Chennai for medical examination pic.twitter.com/aATSM9DQpu
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2023
“Senthil Balalji was picked up by ED…”, says DMK
“Senthil Balaji was picked up by ED and was brought to Omandurar govt hospital. It seems he was not conscious when he was admitted to the hospital. It is totally illegal and an unconstitutional arrest. We will fight it legally,” Senthil Balaji’s lawyer and DMK leader NR Elango told media.
Also, DMK minster Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “Senthil Balaji is undergoing treatment.” We will deal with it legally. We are not afraid of the threatening politics of the BJP-led central government,” he added.
