Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK MLA V. Senthil Balaji in the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) case alleging large-scale corruption in the functioning of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).
Dismissing the plea, Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan held that the nature of the allegations warranted custodial interrogation and observed that the case involved serious charges of large-scale corruption.
The court also took note of the prosecution’s claim that the accused had allegedly abused their official positions, entered into a criminal conspiracy and caused substantial financial loss to the State exchequer.
The case stems from an FIR registered by the DVAC on July 28 against Balaji and several others over alleged irregularities in TASMAC between 2021 and 2025, when he served as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise.
The FIR invokes provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act, including charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, falsification of records and corruption.
According to the prosecution, Balaji conspired with six others, including private individuals, distillery and brewery companies, transport contractors, bottling firms and unidentified TASMAC officials, to manipulate official processes and misappropriate public funds.
Investigators alleged that the conspiracy enabled the laundering of illicit money while causing significant losses to the state.
Seeking pre-arrest bail, Balaji denied all allegations and contended that the FIR was based on vague and omnibus accusations without identifying any specific tender, contract or transaction linking him to the alleged offences.
He also alleged that the case was politically motivated and had been registered due to hostility from the ruling party following the Karur stampede controversy.
Appearing for Balaji, Senior Advocate N.R. Elango argued that TASMAC functioned as an independent corporation and that the Minister had no role in awarding tenders or managing its day-to-day affairs.
He further submitted that the Enforcement Directorate’s earlier searches at TASMAC offices were already under challenge before the Supreme Court, where related proceedings remain pending.
After considering the submissions of both sides, the High Court held that the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation outweighed the grounds raised by the defence. Observing that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the alleged conspiracy and financial irregularities, the court dismissed Balaji’s anticipatory bail petition.
(IANS)
