Senthil Balaji Arrested: What Is The Tamil Nadu Job-For-Cash Scam All About?

After hours of interrogation, Tamil Nadu Power and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with an alleged money laundering case related to a job racket.

Following his arrest, Balaji complained of chest discomfort and was taken to the Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital in Chennai at around 2.30 am for a medical checkup.

High drama prevailed outside the hospital as the DMK leader was seen crying in pain while lying in a car as his supporters gathered there to protest against the ED action.

Opposition leaders have come out strongly condemned the ED action and criticised the Union government for targeting non-BJP party leaders.

What is the money laundering case against Senthil Balaji?

The money laundering case against Senthil Balaji dates back to 2011 to 2015 when he was the Minister of Transport in the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK regime.

It was alleged that during his tenure as transport minister, Balaji allegedly took money in the appointment of drivers, conductors and engineers in the transport department. It was alleged that Balaji cheated people by taking money and not giving them work.

Following the complaint, a case was registered under the Cheating, Conspiracy, and Prevention of Corruption Act in 2015. Notably, the name of Minister Senthil Balaji was not mentioned in the First Information Report.

Later, a case was filed in the High Court to include Minister Senthil Balaji in the money laundering case. Following the High Court's order, the Central Crime Branch police filed a chargesheet naming Senthil Balaji and 40 others including his brother Ashokumar, brother-in-law Karthik and officials of the Transport Corporation.

Senthil Balaji moved the Madras High Court seeking to quash the cases filed against him while the case was being heard in a special court that hears cases against members of the legislature and parliament. The High Court ordered a stay of criminal proceedings against Senthil Balaji after the court was informed that a compromise was reached between the accused and the petitioners.

However in May, the Supreme Court allowed a police and ED probe into an alleged cash for jobs scam against him.

Following the top court orders, the ED had launched multi-city searches in the state on Tuesday at the premises linked to the DMK strongman in the job-for-cash scam.

Senthil Balaji is the first minister in the M K Stalin-led government to face such an action from a central agency.