TN Minister Senthil Balaji Moves Bail Petition In HC, Plea To Be Heard On Wednesday

On Monday, Senthil Balaji underwent a health check-up at a government hospital in Chennai.

On Monday, the Minister was admitted to a hospital amid police security with complaints of chest pain. 

Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji on Tuesday approached the Madras High Court seeking a bail on Tuesday. Senior Counsel N R Elango who represented Balaji in a court hearing requested an early hearing for his bail petition before Justice G Jayachandran. The judge agreed to take up the matter on October 11. On Monday, the Minister was admitted to a hospital amid police security with complaints of chest pain. 

The Minister was transported to Government Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai from Puzhal prison in a '108 ambulance' service. The prison officials decided to hospitalize the Minister reportedly after the prison hospital found that Senthil Balaji's blood pressure was high and had chest discomfort.

On June 14, Balaji, who previously served as the Transport Minister during an AIADMK regime, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate due to his alleged involvement in a money laundering case associated with a cash-for-jobs scam.
 
Earlier, a local court dismissed Senthil Balaji's bail petition twice. Minister Balaji was hospitalised for a brief period after his arrest. The Minister complained of chest pain after ED started questioning him. He was taken to a government hospital in Chennai. Later, he underwent coronary bypass surgery at a private hospital after seeking permission from the court. 

In September, Madras High Court observed that the continuation of V Senthil Balaji as a Minister without Portfolio in the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu cabinet would serve no purpose. The bench said it does not bode well for the ideals of good governance and purity in administration. When deciding on the petitions brought forth by two advocates and former AIADMK MP Dr. J. Jayavardhan, the first bench, which was made up of Chief Justice S. V. Gangapurwala and Justice P. D. Audikesavalu, made the observation.