'Not Maintainable': SG At Madras HC On Habeas Corpus Petition Filed By Senthil Balaji

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta appearing for ED said, "The petition is not maintainable."

Earlier, the ED in a counter-affidavit filed at Madras HC said that they arrested Senthil Balaji since they had "no choice".

The Madras High Court's hearing on the habeas corpus petition filed by Senthil Balaji's wife Megala is underway on Tuesday. Senthil Balaji's wife had submitted an affidavit in Madras HC accusing state BJP chief K Annamalai of "nursing a grudge" against the Minister. 

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta appearing for ED said that the petition was not maintainable. 

“There is no CrPC provision that requires grounds of arrest to be reduced to writing. Section 19 of PMLA allows the authority to arrest a person if there is reason to believe that he is guilty of an offence under the act. The grounds for the arrest are to be informed as soon as possible and not immediately,” said Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta.

Tamil Nadu | Hearing on the habeas corpus petition filed by Megala, wife of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji, underway at Madras High Court

Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta is appearing for ED. SG says the petition is not maintainable.

There is no CrPC provision that…

— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

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Earlier, the ED in a counter-affidavit filed at Madras HC said that they arrested Senthil Balaji since they had "no choice". The ED said that after the completion of searches he was issued a summon but he reportedly refused to sign and receive it. 

The affidavit, as per India Today, said that Senthil Balaji started behaving in an intimidating manner and shouted that he was a Minister in the state. 

The ED said that they attempted to record Senthil Balaji's statement in the presence of two witnesses but he did not respond to the questions. The ED said that he was "non-cooperative".