DMK’s Senthil Balaji arrested by ED in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. After the arrest, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin held a meeting at his residence.
By Shilpa Nair, Pramod Madhav: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Tamil Nadu Power and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji on Wednesday after conducting searches at premises linked to him in connection with a money laundering case. The minister was arrested after a long session of questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) into a cash-for-jobs scam.
The ED started its raids exactly 24 hours back at his residence where the minister was present. Around 1.30 am, when the minister was informed that he would be arrested by the probe agency, he complained of chest pain and was shifted to Omandurar government hospital in Chennai.
By Shilpa Nair, Pramod Madhav: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Tamil Nadu Power and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji on Wednesday after conducting searches at premises linked to him in connection with a money laundering case. The minister was arrested after a long session of questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) into a cash-for-jobs scam.
The ED started its raids exactly 24 hours back at his residence where the minister was present. Around 1.30 am, when the minister was informed that he would be arrested by the probe agency, he complained of chest pain and was shifted to Omandurar government hospital in Chennai.
The Rapid Action Force was deployed at Omandurar government hospital in Chennai, where Senthil Balaji has been brought for medical examination.
‘WILL FIGHT IT LEGALLY’
“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 India Today.
Tamil Nadu ministers I.Periyasamy, Ponmudi, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and R Gandhi arrived at Omandurar government hospital to meet minister Senthil Balaji.
DMK minister 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.
“Senthil Balaji was targeted and tortured. The ED kept questioning him continuously for 24 hours. This is totally against human rights. They (ED) have to answer to the people and the court,” S Raghupathi, Tamil Nadu Law Minister told ANI.
Heavy security deployment has been near Karur bus stand after the ED took Senthil Balaji into custody.
STALIN CALLS FOR MEET
Following Senthil Balaji’s arrest, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin consulted senior ministers and a legal team at his residence. The raids carried out by the probe agency invited strong criticism from Chief Minister M K Stalin and several Opposition parties.
Stalin on Tuesday slammed the BJP government for “unleashing central agencies” against the DMK minister. “These raids are not only politically motivated but also an insult to cooperative federalism,” he said.