A major controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu following the arrest of Minister V Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a cash for jobs scam in the transport department. The 47-year-old DMK leader from Karur district, who is part of Chief Minister MK Stalin’s Cabinet, has become the centre of a heated debate as he becomes the first Minister to face scrutiny from a Central probe agency.

It has sparked outrage and raised questions about the motives behind the arrest.

Stalin has expressed his concern over the prolonged investigation despite Balaji’s assurance of full cooperation. Stalin has questioned the necessity and justification for what he deems as “inhumane action” by the ED officials.

During the period under investigation (2014-15), Balaji was with the AIADMK and held the position of Transport Minister. However, after his formal arrest early on Wednesday, the DMK leader complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Government hospital. Medical professionals have advised him to undergo immediate bypass surgery.

Following his hospitalisation, Balaji has applied to a city court seeking permission to be transferred to a private hospital for further treatment. He has also requested interim bail. The court has ordered his judicial custody until June 28 but is yet to make a decision on his bail application and the ED’s plea for police custody.

Amidst the unfolding drama, a habeas corpus petition has been filed in the Madras High Court, urging the court to intervene and ensure the Minister’s fair treatment.

Stalin paid a visit to his Cabinet colleague at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, expressing his discontent with the protracted investigation and condemning the actions of the ED as “cruel intentions.” He assured Balaji of the Government’s legal support and pledged that the party would also face the case legally.

In response to the arrest, the DMK has alleged that proper arrest procedures were not followed, raising concerns about the transparency of the investigation. However, the ED has denied these allegations.

The case against Balaji and his associates dates back to his tenure as the Transport Minister in the AIADMK Government from 2011 to 2015. It is alleged that Balaji, along with his brother R V Ashok Kumar, conspired with managing directors of state transport undertakings and other officials to accept illegal gratification from job applicants in exchange for recruitment in various positions within the transport corporations. The ED has accused Balaji of orchestrating fraudulent appointments based on lists provided by his associates.

Candidates who allegedly paid money for jobs have claimed that they did not receive appointment orders or refunds as promised by Balaji and the others involved. Based on three FIRs registered by the Tamil Nadu Police in 2018 and subsequent years, the ED initiated a money laundering investigation in 2021.

The recent actions taken by the ED were authorized by the Supreme Court in a May 16 order, granting permission for both the police and the ED to conduct investigations into the case.

Meanwhile, State Minister PK Sekar Babu has raised concerns about Balaji’s health, claiming that the minister has shown signs of being “tortured.” Balaji is currently in the intensive care unit and has undergone a coronary angiogram, which revealed triple vessel disease. Doctors have recommended immediate bypass surgery.

The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance has announced plans for a massive public meeting in Coimbatore on Friday to protest against the alleged interference of the BJP in the matter. The alliance has criticised the BJP-led NDA Government, accusing it of neglecting the interests of the people during its nine-year tenure.

While the TN BJP Chief K Annamalai has denied any vindictive action and stated that the ED’s actions are a result of a five-year probe into the cash for jobs scam, AIADMK Chief K Palaniswami has criticized Chief Minister Stalin over the raids. Palaniswami demanded Balaji’s resignation on moral grounds and accused him of mishandling liquor stock and allowing illegal bars to operate, resulting in losses to the state exchequer.