The Madras High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe alleged irregularities in the purchase of power transformers in Tamil Nadu, transferring the case linked to former minister Senthil Balaji.
The allegations relate to transformer procurement during the period from 2021 to 2023, when Senthil Balaji served as the state’s Electricity Minister. A petition filed by Arappor Iyakkam claimed the state suffered a loss of Rs 397 crore due to the alleged wrongdoing.
The matter was heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Dharamadhikari. After hearing the case, the court directed a CBI investigation and instructed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption department to file its inquiry report.
The High Court also ordered that all documents connected to the case be handed over to the CBI within two weeks. It further directed TANGEDCO and the Tamil Nadu government to cooperate with the CBI during the investigation.
Responding to the development, Senthil Balaji said the transformer procurement followed long-standing procedures dating back to 1987 and that tender decisions are taken by three committees. He maintained that no wrongdoing occurred and that there was no loss to the government.
