Tamil Nadu: Arrested Minister Senthil Balaji Hospitalised

Senthil Balaji, who is currently lodged in the Puzhal prison in Chennai, was on Monday admitted to a government hospital.

Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji

Source : PTI

Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who is currently lodged in the Puzhal prison in Chennai, was on Monday admitted to a government hospital, as reported by the news agency PTI. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering scam. Balaji was shifted from the prison to the hospital, the news agency reported, citing police sources. 

Notably, Balaji, who served as a Minister for Electricity and Excise in Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin-led cabinet, was arrested on June 14 in connection with a job-for-cash scheme by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Following his arrest, he was hospitalised. Later, he underwent coronary bypass surgery at a private hospital. Today, he was taken in a government '108 ambulance' from the hospital to the Puzhal prison amid police security. 

On July 4, in the habeas corpus petition filed by Minister Senthil Balaji's wife Megala, Madras High Court gave a split verdict. Justice Nisha Banu and Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy gave the split verdict and referred the case to a larger bench.  Justice Nisha Banu said that Senthil Balaji's arrest was unconstitutional. On the other hand, Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy said, Senthil Balaji must be jailed after his discharge from the hospital. 

Earlier, in the petition, Minister's wife claimed that his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate was illegal. Amid the questioning by ED, Balaji reportedly complained of chest pain and he was taken to Omandurar Government Hospital. After doctors found that he needed immediate medical intervention and bypass surgery, he was shifted to Kavery Hospital where he underwent a bypass surgery.

In September, the Madras High Court observed that the continuation of V Senthil Balaji as a Minister without Portfolio in the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu cabinet will 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.