T.N. Minister Senthilbalaji arrest | Enforcement Directorate did not follow proper procedure: DMK MP N.R. Elango

The MP termed Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji’s arrest, early on the morning of June 14, 2023, as “totally illegal and unconstitutional”

ED officials at Minister for Electricity V. Senthilbalaji’s office at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

DMK Rajya Sabha MP N.R. Elango said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) did not follow proper procedure in its action against Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji, and said the action taken was ‘totally illegal and unconstitutional’.

The ED arrested Mr. Senthilbalaji early on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, following an 18-hour questioning session at the Minister’s home in Chennai. The Minister has since been admitted to the Government Multi Super-Specialty Hospital, Omandurar.

Speaking to reporters at the Government Multi Super-Specialty Hospital, Omandarur on Wednesday, Mr. Elango said the ED did not tell the Minister about the terms of his arrest. His family members were also not informed about the arrest and only the media was informed, he said.

Mr. Elango said at 9 p.m. on Tuesday Mr. Senthilbalaji had complained to the ED officials that he was unwell and despite that he was not given medical care [until much later in the night].