Chennai
Senthil Balaji, a Tamil Nadu Minister without portfolio, has filed a bail petition in the Chennai Sessions court in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. R. Elango, the counsel representing the minister, requested an urgent hearing for the bail petition from Judge S. Alli at the Chennai Sessions court. However, the judge did not make an immediate decision on the matter. Senthil Balaji, who previously held the positions of Electricity and Excise Minister in M.K. Stalin’s cabinet, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14 in relation to a job-for-cash scam. During his initial arrest, Balaji complained of chest pain and underwent an angiogram at Government Omandurar Hospital. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with three coronary artery blockages. The minister later petitioned the Madras High Court to be transferred to a private hospital, Kaveri Hospital, for surgery. An open-heart surgery was performed, after which he was transferred to the Medical Cell at Puzhal Central Prison.
