Chennai, July 30: The Madras High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA V. Senthil Balaji. This case is linked to allegations of large-scale corruption involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) as per the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
While dismissing the plea, Justice G.K. Ilanthirayan stated that custodial interrogation was necessary given the nature of the allegations, which involve serious charges of extensive corruption.
The court also considered the prosecution’s claim that the accused allegedly abused their official positions, conspired criminally, and caused significant financial loss to the government treasury.
This case stems from an FIR registered by the DVAC against Balaji and several others on July 28, concerning alleged irregularities in TASMAC from 2021 to 2025, during Balaji’s tenure as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise.
The FIR invokes sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Indian Evidence Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, including charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, fraud, manipulation of records, and corruption.
According to the prosecution, Balaji conspired with six others to manipulate government processes and misuse public funds. The group includes private individuals, distillery and brewery companies, transport contractors, bottling firms, and unidentified TASMAC officials.
Investigators allege that this conspiracy facilitated money laundering and caused substantial losses to the state.
Seeking bail before arrest, Balaji denied all allegations, asserting that the FIR is vague and based on general accusations without specific tenders, contracts, or transactions linking him to the alleged crimes.
He also claimed that the case was politically motivated, stemming from animosity from the ruling party following the Karur stampede controversy.
Senior Advocate N.R. Ilango, representing Balaji, argued that TASMAC operates as an independent corporation, with no role for the minister in awarding tenders or managing daily operations.
He further stated that a previous search by the Enforcement Directorate at TASMAC offices had already been challenged in the Supreme Court, and related proceedings are still pending.
After considering arguments from both sides, the High Court concluded that the seriousness of the allegations and the need for thorough investigation outweighed the defense’s arguments. The court deemed custodial interrogation necessary to uncover the conspiracy and financial irregularities, leading to the rejection of Balaji’s anticipatory bail plea.
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