Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji Arrested by ED amid Money Laundering Probe, Hospitalised Following Chest Pain

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken Tamil Nadu's Power and Excise Minister, V Senthil Balaji into custody, following investigations into a money laundering case. Multiple premises linked to the minister underwent searches, marking a pivotal move in this ongoing inquiry.

Senthil Balaji, a notable figure in the DMK party, was arrested in the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday. Post-arrest, the minister complained of chest pain, prompting ED officials to rush him to Chennai's Omandurar Government Hospital for extensive medical evaluation.

Adding to the escalating situation, Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Sekar Babu, disclosed that Senthil Balaji is now admitted to the ICU in an unconscious state. Despite multiple attempts, the minister failed to respond to his name and showed signs of swelling near his ear.

Sekar Babu said the DMK is undeterred by these developments and remains fearless in the face of such adversities.

Although the central probe agency is yet to issue an official release stating the reason of Balaji's arrest, it is believed that it was connection with a money laundering case related to a job racket when he was Minister in the former AIADMK government led by late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa during 2011-15.

Addressing the media here, DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister for Sports Development and Youth Welfare Udayanidhi Stalin said that the ruling party cannot be cowed down by the intimidation tactics of the Central government.

Udayanidhi and Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian met Balaji at the hospital. TWL Bureau with inputs from IANS