DMK leader Senthil Balaji was arrested in early June in connection with money laundering cases
Senthil Balaji, the head of the detained DMK, is still in the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) custody, according to the Madras High Court. The duration of Mr. Balaji’s medical stay will not be counted towards the custody term, the court has made clear. A division bench of the high court has now been assigned the matter for further consideration.
Senthil Balaji, a minister in the MK Stalin-led DMK administration, had an angiography soon after being detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in early June. Money laundering cases were the reason for the arrest.
Prior to his arrest, the income tax department had conducted searches on properties linked to individuals associated with Mr. Balaji across Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court had granted permission to the ED to continue its investigation into allegations of cash-for-jobs against Mr. Balaji.
The ruling DMK party has accused the BJP of targeting them out of desperation after losing power in recent assembly elections in Karnataka.
Chief Minister Stalin strongly criticized the BJP-led central government for conducting raids on Mr. Balaji, stating that the party is resorting to “politics of intimidation”.
