Senthil Balaji
Tamil Nadu minister breaks down on camera after ED arrests him
Chennai/IBNS: Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji broke down on camera after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case on Wednesday, media reports said.
Balaji, the state's power minister, broke down while he was being taken to the hospital for medical check up post arrest.
Several supporters of Balaji gathered outside the hospital chanting slogans against the probe agency.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin later reached the hospital to meet his arrested colleague.
Slamming the arrest, Stalin tweeted, "What was the purpose of the enforcement department to torture Minister Senthil Balaji so that he would get chest pain even after he said that he would cooperate fully with the investigation?
"Is it necessary for the enforcement officers to act in a dehumanizing manner in violation of the legal procedures required by the case?..."
விசாரணைக்கு முழு ஒத்துழைப்பு தருகிறேன் என்று சொன்ன பிறகும் அமைச்சர் செந்தில் பாலாஜிக்கு நெஞ்சு வலி ஏற்படும் வகையில் சித்ரவதை கொடுத்த அமலாக்கத்துறையின் நோக்கம் என்ன?
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 14, 2023
வழக்கிற்குத் தேவையான சட்ட நடைமுறைகளை மீறி மனிதநேயமற்ற முறையில் அமலாக்கத்துறை அதிகாரிகள் நடந்து கொண்டிருப்பது… pic.twitter.com/D2EIs5vvWN
The minister was arrested after the raids, when he was taken for questioning to the ED office in the city, when he complained of chest pain and was admitted to the ICU at the Omandurar Government Multi-speciality hospital for treatment.
Reports said, after treatment, he is likely to be produced before the Principal Sessions Court later today for remand.
Reports also suggest that he might be taken to New Delhi for a detailed interrogation.
A large posse of police personnel and armed central forces were deployed at the hospital.
(With additional inputs from UNI)
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