Senthil Balaji’s Properties in Karur Raided by IT Department

CHENNAI: Income Tax Department officials on Tuesday conducted raids on several properties in Karur that are linked to jailed Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji.

The IT officials conducted the raids at around 10 locations in the city. Some of the properties belong to Mani, a friend of Senthil Balaji's brother Ashok.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Senthil Balaji on June 14 in a cash-for-jobs scam that allegedly took place when he was the transport minister in the AIADMK regime earlier.

After his arrest, Balaji complained of severe chest pain and he was taken to Kauvery Hospital, where he had to undergo coronary bypass surgery. He is still lodged at the same hospital for recovery from the surgery.

Balaji’s arrest and subsequent dismissal from the state cabinet Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister led to a political furore between the former and the MK Stalin-led DMK government.

However, sources said that Senthil Balaji's dismissal had been put on hold by the Governor on the advice of the Union Home Ministry.

The Governor also wrote a letter to Chief Minister MK Stalin, in which he stated that his order on Balaji’s dismissal was on hold, a source said. Sources revealed that the Governor had been asked by the Home Ministry to seek a legal opinion from the attorney general before taking a decision.

The Governor took the move days after the DMK government proposed that Senthil Balaji would continue to be a state cabinet minister but will not be allowed to hold a portfolio despite opposition from the Governor.

TN Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu was given Senthil Balaji's electricity portfolio, while the Prohibition and Excise portfolio was allocated to the Housing and Urban Development Minister Muthusamy.

On July 5, the judicial custody of Senthil Balaji was extended by a Chennai court till July 12. The minister appeared in a hearing before Principal Sessions court judge S Alli via means of a video conference from Kauvery Hospital

Earlier, Madras High Court delivered a split verdict in the habeas corpus plea that was filed by the minister's wife, Megala in DMK leader Senthil Balaji's case. The case will now be placed before a third judge for adjudication.

In her plea, the minister's wife Megala claimed that the minister's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was illegal.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the ED, said in his argument that the Habeas Corpus petition filed on behalf of Senthil Balaji was not maintainable. Mehta said ED had the power to arrest Senthil Balaji and take him under the department’s custody for questioning. On the other hand, former attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Senthil Balaji, did not give credence to Mehta’s submission.

DMK MP and advocate NR Elango, the second advocate who also appeared for Senthil Balaji, however stated that both judges have agreed that a Habeas Corpus petition is maintainable.

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