Senthil Balaji Resigns As Tamil Nadu Minister Eight Months After Money Laundering Arrest

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case dating back to 2014 when he held the position of transport minister under the AIADMK government.

After eight months since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), V Senthil Balaji tendered his resignation as a minister (without a portfolio) from the Tamil Nadu cabinet on Monday.

Senthil Balaji Resigns

An official in the government, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Balaji's resignation will be forwarded to the Governor. Two days before the Madras High Court is scheduled to hear Balaji's bail plea on February 14, the development of his resignation from the Tamil Nadu cabinet occurred, reported Hindustan Times.

His bail plea had previously been rejected by a trial court in the city, and it is currently under consideration by Justice Anand Venkatesh of the high court, who recently criticized his continuation in the DMK cabinet.

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in a case dating back to 2014 when he held the position of transport minister under the AIADMK government. Since his arrest, he has been hospitalized for chest pains and subsequently underwent heart surgery at a private hospital as reported by HindustanTimes.

He was discharged on July 17 and has since been imprisoned in the Puzhal Central Prison. His portfolios (electricity, excise, and prohibition) were reallocated by Chief Minister M K Stalin citing his ill health and not his arrest.

Stalin had previously continued to support Balaji even when Governor R N Ravi dismissed him from the Cabinet last June, only to put the decision in abeyance a few hours later. The ruling DMK stated that it was disregarding the Governor's actions. Amidst mounting criticism, DMK leaders also stated that he need not be disqualified since he has not been found guilty.