In a significant development, Tamil Nadu Minister for Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition, Senthil Balaji, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a government hospital in the early hours of Wednesday following questioning by officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case. The events that unfolded outside the hospital where Balaji was brought for a medical examination were characterized by high drama, with the minister visibly in pain and his supporters gathering to protest against the actions of the ED.
Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s Hospitalization Sparks Controversy Amidst ED Investigation
While rumors circulated that the minister had been taken into custody by the economic intelligence agency, there was no official confirmation, and DMK advocates who visited the hospital also expressed uncertainty regarding the situation.
“I saw him (Senthil Balaji) when he was shifted to the ICU. Doctors are evaluating his health condition. It is a procedure when a person says he has been assaulted, the doctor needs to note down all the injuries, and we will know after seeing the report. Officially, we have not been informed (by ED) that he has been arrested,” stated DMK MP and lawyer NR Elango.
State Minister P K Sekar Babu claimed that there were apparent signs suggesting that Balaji had been subjected to torture. DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin commented, “Senthil Balaji is undergoing treatment. We will deal with it legally. We are not afraid of the threatening politics of the BJP-led central government.”
Balaji was taken to the Omandurar government hospital for a medical examination after being apprehended by the central investigative agency for questioning in relation to the money laundering case. DMK leaders raised concerns, asserting that Balaji appeared unconscious when he was transported to the hospital by the ED. In response to the situation, a team of Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed to the hospital as supporters of the minister gathered to protest against the actions of the ED.
On Tuesday, ED officials conducted raids on Balaji’s official residence in Chennai, his office in the state secretariat, as well as premises in his native Karur and Erode. The case against Balaji dates back to the period when he served as the Transport Minister during the AIADMK-led government from 2011 to 2015 before switching to the DMK.
The search and subsequent hospitalization of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji have triggered controversy and raised questions about the ongoing investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Balaji, who holds key portfolios such as electricity, excise, and prohibition, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a government hospital in the early hours of Wednesday after facing questioning by the ED in connection with a money laundering case. The events surrounding Balaji’s hospitalization witnessed a dramatic scene, as the minister was seen in visible distress while lying in a car, surrounded by his supporters protesting against the actions of the ED.
DMK Minister Balaji’s Harrowing and Shocking Ordeal: Emotional Outburst Amidst Intense ED Questioning | VIDEO
Despite widespread speculations about Balaji’s arrest, no official confirmation has been provided by the authorities, and even DMK advocates who visited the hospital remained uncertain about the minister’s legal status.
NR Elango, a DMK MP and lawyer, stated, “I saw him (Senthil Balaji) when he was shifted to the ICU. Doctors are evaluating his health condition. When a person claims to have been assaulted, the doctor needs to document all the injuries. We will know more after seeing the report. As of now, we have not been informed by the ED that he has been arrested.”
Adding to the controversy, State Minister P K Sekar Babu expressed concerns over possible mistreatment, claiming that Balaji showed symptoms of having been subjected to torture.
DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin addressed the situation, saying, “Senthil Balaji is currently undergoing treatment. We will handle this matter legally. We are not afraid of the threatening politics of the BJP-led central government.”
Balaji was transported to the Omandurar government hospital for a medical examination after being taken into custody by the ED for questioning regarding the money laundering case. DMK leaders voiced their worries, suggesting that Balaji appeared unconscious during his transfer to the hospital under ED custody. As tensions escalated, a team from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was deployed to the hospital to maintain order as the number of supporters increased, protesting against the actions of the ED.
In a separate development, ED officials carried out raids on Balaji’s official residence in Chennai, his office in the state secretariat, as well as other premises connected to him in his native Karur and Erode. The case against Balaji stems from his tenure as the Transport Minister during the AIADMK-led government from 2011 to 2015, prior to his switch to the DMK. These raids further intensified the scrutiny surrounding the investigation and raised concerns among DMK leaders.
