Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) early on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, was remanded to judicial custody till June 28. An interim bail petition moved by the Minister was posted for judgement on Thursday.
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The Chennai Principal Sessions Court Judge, S. Alli passed the order and posted the hearing seeking 15-day custody of the Minister by the ED to Thursday.
While counsel N.R. Elango, appearing for Mr. Senthilbalaji, sought the cancellation of the judicial custody and the shifting of the Minister from the Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar Estate to Kauvery Hospital, counsel for ED moved a petition seeking 15-day custody of him.
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Mr. Elango claimed that ED officials had caused severe physical and mental stress to Mr. Senthilbalaji by putting him through 22 hours of questioning, and sought specialised treatment for him at Kauvery hospital.
The ED’s counsel countered these arguments, saying the Minister was not cooperating by not signing the memo, and the rules would not permit the shifting of a person arrested in a money laundering case to a private hospital.
After hearing the arguments, the judge ordered judicial custody of the Minister and reserved orders on the interim bail plea filed by his counsel.