Chennai– The situation involving Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji is quite tense and controversial. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him after a prolonged questioning session concerning a money laundering case. The ED conducted raids on premises linked to Balaji and questioned him regarding allegations from his tenure as the transport minister during the AIADMK-led government from 2011 to 2015.
The Supreme Court had previously allowed a police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji. Amid speculation about his custody, Balaji was admitted to a government hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Chennai. He complained of chest discomfort, and there were dramatic scenes outside the hospital as Balaji grimaced in pain.
DMK leader P K Sekar Babu claimed that Balaji showed symptoms of torture, stating that he was unconscious and did not respond when called by his name. Babu also mentioned swelling near Balaji’s ear and variations in his electrocardiogram (ECG) as potential signs of torture. TV visuals showed Balaji crying in pain while lying in a car, with his supporters gathering to protest against the ED’s actions.
Following Balaji’s admission to the hospital, a team of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed at Omandurar Government Medical College. Tamil Nadu BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy labeled it a “complete drama” by the ruling DMK in response to the situation. Thirupathy demanded that Chief Minister MK Stalin dismissed Balaji from his ministry immediately and urged Balaji to cooperate with the probe conducted by the law enforcement agency.
The overall situation is highly charged and has raised concerns about Balaji’s health, the allegations against him, and the authorities’ actions.