Senthil Balaji In ED Custody: TN Ministers Hit Out At Centre, Vow To Deal With Case Legally

HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu alleged that doctors told him that there are symptoms of ‘torture’.

Tamil Nadu Ministers and DMK leaders hit out at the Centre for using Enforcement Directorate (ED) to take Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji into custody late-night on Tuesday. The Ministers, however, said that they will legally face the case. HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu claimed that doctors informed him that there are symptoms of ‘torture’.

Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who visited Senthil Balaji 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.”

On Tuesday, ED raided the residence and office of Senthil Balaji at the Secretariat. Later, ED took the Minister into custody and started questioning him. During that time, the Minister reportedly started complaining of discomfort and broke out while on the way to Omandurar Government Hospital. Currently, he is receiving treatment at the hospital. 

Minister Ponmudi said, "This is a revengeful act. The Union government is doing many wrong things against states where there is a non-BJP government like in West Bengal, Delhi and here." 

Minister Sekar Babu, as per PTI said, "Senthil Balaji is in the ICU. He was in an unconscious state and did not respond when I called by his name. He is under observation. Doctors say there is variation in his ECG..there are symptoms of torture."

The lawyer of Senthil Balaji NR Ilango also said that the Minister has been assaulted and the details would be known after seeing the report. DMK MP and advocate, NR Elango on TN minister Senthil Balaji said, “The procedure adopted by Enforcement Directorate is totally illegal and unconstitutional. He was taken into custody by ED without informing him of the grounds of his arrest. We will fight this case legally.”

Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Force has been deployed at Omandurar government hospital in Chennai. Heavy security has been deployed near Karur bus stand, the hometown of the Minister, on Wednesday.