Tamil Nadu: After getting arrested, minister cries on camera
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader V Senthil Balaji on money laundering charges in Chennai, reported NDTV. This comes after he was questioned for around 18 hours by the probe agency on Tuesday. However, when the minister was informed about his arrest around 1:30am on Wednesday, he reportedly complained of chest pain.
There are 'symptoms' that Balaji was 'tortured': State minister
Balaji was then taken to Chennai's Omandurar government hospital in an ambulance. However, dramatic scenes unfolded as he broke down into tears inside the vehicle, while his supporters stood outside shouting slogans against the ED. Meanwhile, Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu alleged there were "symptoms" that Balaji was "tortured" during questioning. He added that his colleague has been shifted to the ICU.
Watch: Balaji breaks down after arrest
ED raided Balaji's premises on Tuesday
Reportedly, the ED questioned Balaji after conducting raids at his premises in Chennai, Karur, and Erode on Tuesday. He is likely to be produced before a special court on Wednesday. The action came months after the Supreme Court permitted the ED to investigate corruption allegations against Balaji related to a cash-for-jobs scam case during his tenure as a minister under late CM J Jayalalithaa.
CM Stalin reaches hospital to meet Balaji
On Wednesday morning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin arrived at the hospital to meet Balaji. Law Minister S Regupathy and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who also visited the hospital, questioned the need to raid Balaji's premises. The ED raids came after the Income Tax Department raided over 40 locations across the state linked to the minister two weeks ago.
Bypass surgery advised for Balaji at earliest: Hospital
Following his hospitalization, Balaji underwent a coronary angiogram, which revealed triple vessel disease, the hospital authorities said later on Wednesday. They added that bypass surgery was advised at the earliest to save Balaji from any serious problems. Earlier, his wife, S Megala, filed a habeas corpus plea before the Madras High Court against his arrest, but Justice R Sakthivel recused himself from the hearing.
