The ED has arrested Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji in a money-laundering case after questioning him for 18 hours at the minister’s house in Chennai. , File photo | Photo Credit: Shiv Saravanan S
Cabinet colleagues of Tamil Nadu Power Minister V. Senthilbalaji said the central government was targeting him only because he was a DMK minister. He further said that the DMK was not afraid of intimidation tactics as they had faced Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in the past.
Speaking to reporters at Omandurar Government Hospital, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, “His medical examination is being done. he is nice. He has tortured her. I spoke to him. The DMK is not cowed down by the intimidation tactics of the central government. We have faced Misa. We will face it legally.”
Read also: ED officials arrest Tamil Nadu minister Senthilbalaji in money-laundering case
Speaking to reporters, Law Minister S Raghupathi said the Enforcement Directorate officials have not informed Mr Senthilbalaji’s relatives whether he has been arrested so far and why he has been admitted to the ICU.
“Are we in a democratic country? If someone is being questioned and arrested, then at least his relatives should have been informed. A minister is being questioned here. Has he been arrested? He has not given any information. This is an act of violation of human rights,” said Mr. Raghupathi.
Read also: Enforcement Directorate searches house, residence of Tamil Nadu minister Senthilbalaji
Pointing out that Mr. Senthilbalaji has said he would cooperate with the probe, Mr. Raghupathi said his colleague would have extended cooperation. “If we know the details of any notices issued and for which cases we can think about further course of action.”
Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi said that this is an “act of vendetta politics” and the people of Tamil Nadu are well aware of it. Public Works Minister EV Velu, Health Minister Hon. Subramaniam and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi were among those who visited the Omandurar hospital complex.