Tamil Nadu Ministers including Udhayanidhi Stalin, Ma Subramanian, Sekar Babu, S Reghupathy and others visited Omandurar Government Hospital in Chennai on Wednesday to meet Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji who has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital after complaining of uneasiness during questioning by Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Ministers and his lawyer claim that Senthil Balaji was 'tortured' and 'unconscious' when he was admitted to the hospital.
Earlier, visuals emerged of Balaji breaking down in the custody of ED. Some of the reports said that the Minister broke down since he was feeling uneasy and had chest discomfort while he was brought to the Government Medical College in Omandurar Government Estate.
DMK MP and Senthil Balaji's lawyer NR Elango said, "Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was picked up by ED & brought to Omandurar govt hospital. It seems he was not conscious when he was admitted to the hospital. It is totally illegal and unconstitutional arrest. We will fight it legally."
"I saw him (Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji) when he was shifted to ICU. Doctors are evaluating his health condition. It's a procedure when a person says he has been assaulted the doctor needs to note down all the injuries, will know after seeing the report," he said.
The lawyer said that they have not been officially informed about the arrest by ED.
Law Minister S Reghupathy who visited the hospital also said that there was no clarity on whether Balaji was arrested by ED. S Reghupathy said, “ Senthil Balaji was targeted and tortured. 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.”
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