In a dramatic development that has stirred a political controversy in Tamil Nadu, Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was hospitalised on Tuesday following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to cash-for-jobs scam. During his arrest, a visibly distraught Balaji was seen breaking down in tears while being transported for a medical checkup. A video clip of his arrest has emerged on social media. Balaji was admitted to the Tamil Nadu Government Multi-Super-Speciality Hospital in Chennai at 3 AM on Wednesday after enduring 18 hour-long grilling by the ED officials. 

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The hospital later confirmed that the minister underwent a coronary angiogram, with the doctors recommending coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery after the imaging revealed three blocked vessels from coronary artery disease (CAD). 

 

 

Balaji’s links with Cash of Jobs scam

The case is linked to a cash-for-jobs scam in the state transport department, which allegedly occurred during Balaji’s tenure as the Transport minister in the AIADMK regime from 2011-16. The case was booked in March 2021, on the eve of the Assembly elections, when Chennai police filed a chargesheet against Balaji and 46 others, which included senior retired and serving officers of various transport corporations. The charges were filed in connection with a recruitment scam that shook the state in 2014-15.

Last month, the Supreme Court cleared the way for an investigation, overriding a previous decision by the Madras High Court on September 1, 2022, which had dismissed ED summons sent to Balaji and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Balaji is accused of conspiring with transport corporation officials to issue appointment orders for candidates recommended by his aides, and for alleged bribery involving appointments in various transport corporations.

What Happened on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Balaji was taken into custody by the ED following an 18-hour-long interrogation in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged cash-for-jobs scam. The minister was admitted to a government hospital in Chennai after experiencing chest discomfort and uneasiness during the raids conducted by the ED. As per the visuals that have emerged, Balaji was seen breaking down while being taken away by the ED officials, possibly for a medical examination.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Balaji's lawyer and the ministers claimed that he was "tortured" and was "unconscious" when admitted to the hospital. Balaji was receiving treatment for blood pressure and ECG variations at the hospital.

"He is in the ICU. He was in an unconscious state and did not respond when we called him by his name. He is under observation... there is a swelling near his ear, doctors say there is variation in his ECG (electrocardiogram)...these are symptoms of torture," state minister PK Sekar Babu was quoted by ANI.

DMK comes out in support of Balaji

The minister's arrest and subsequent health concerns have sparked a significant political furore. DMK leaders asserted that the Central government is targeting those opposing their policies. The DMK party has also criticised the arrest, calling it illegal and unconstitutional.

Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Raghupathi accused the ED of targeting and torturing Balaji. Echoing this sentiment, DMK MP and lawyer NR Elango raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the arrest guidelines and expressed the party's commitment to face the situation legally without succumbing to intimidation.

Other opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), condemned the manner of Balaji's arrest and expressed solidarity with him and opposition leaders targeted by the BJP