ED Conducts Raids Linked to Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji
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Synopsis
On March 6, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate executed multiple raids in Tamil Nadu related to Minister V. Senthil Balaji. The operations are tied to alleged irregularities in the liquor trade and previous money laundering accusations linked to a cash-for-jobs scheme.
Key Takeaways
- ED raids connected to V. Senthil Balaji.
- Allegations of irregularities in TASMAC.
- Searches conducted at 10 locations.
- Involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam.
- Balaji was previously arrested in June 2023.
Chennai, March 6 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids on Thursday at several sites associated with Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji.
As per agency sources, these searches were related to alleged irregularities within the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), which has a monopoly over the state's liquor trade.
Raids took place at approximately 10 locations throughout Tamil Nadu, including properties tied to Senthil Balaji, government contractors, and various other entities.
A contingent of about 20 officials arrived in Karur in five vehicles to execute searches at multiple locations, which included the homes of Kongu Mess owner Mani in Rayanur, Sakthi Mess owner Sakthivel in Gothai Nagar on Athur branch road, and MCS Sankar, a PWD contractor and close associate of Senthil Balaji, in Palaniappan Nagar.
A number of party workers gathered near the locations being searched, while the Tamil Nadu Police were deployed in significant numbers to uphold law and order.
It is notable that Senthil Balaji was taken into custody on June 14, 2023, by the ED in relation to a money laundering case associated with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam during his time as Transport Minister in the AIADMK administration.
Following this, he joined the DMK and was appointed as Minister for Electricity and Prohibition.
On August 12, 2023, the ED submitted a 3,000-page charge sheet against Balaji, accusing him of significantly exploiting his official role for personal benefit through corrupt means.
The charge sheet alleges that he directly obtained illicit gains from criminal activities linked to the scam.
The ED contended that Balaji colluded with his brother, R.V. Ashok Kumar, personal aides, and officials from the Transport Department to orchestrate the cash-for-jobs scheme.
Despite his denials of connections with personal aides Shanmugam and Karthikeyan, investigations indicated that both operated under his orders.
The agency asserted that the scam involved laundering illegal proceeds through layering and integration into the legitimate economy via cash deposits and associates.
Balaji’s attempts for bail were rejected multiple times by the courts; however, on September 26, 2024, the Supreme Court granted him bail after he had spent over a year incarcerated since his arrest.
