The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim protection from arrest to former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji in a case linked to alleged irregularities in TASMAC liquor procurement. The court also granted him anticipatory bail subject to conditions and sought responses from the Tamil Nadu government and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
The DVAC registered the case on July 28, alleging wrongdoing during the previous DMK regime, including irregularities in procurement and tender processes and illegal allotment of bars, leading to alleged corruption running into several crores. The FIR names Senthil Balaji, former TASMAC managing director Visagan and five others.
Senthil Balaji moved the Supreme Court after the Madras High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. The matter first came up before a bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant, where Justice V Mohana recused herself, stating she had appeared as a lawyer in the case earlier. A new bench comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Jaymalya Bagchi heard the matter later in the day.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Senthil Balaji, argued that preliminary inquiries had already been completed and that the case was being revived due to political motives after a change in government. The state, represented by advocate Guru Krishnakumar, opposed bail, alleging the scam could be up to Rs 1,000 crore and contending that the accused could influence witnesses and delay the probe.
After hearing both sides, the court ordered an interim stay on arrest and issued notice to the state and DVAC on the appeal. It directed Senthil Balaji to surrender his passport, not influence witnesses, and not interfere with the investigation, warning that any violation would lead to immediate cancellation of bail. The hearing was adjourned by three weeks.
