SupremeCourt – Supreme Court to Hear Senthil Balaji Bail Appeal After High Court Rejection
SupremeCourt – Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji secured an urgent hearing before the Supreme Court after the Madras High Court declined to grant him anticipatory bail in the alleged Tasmac corruption case. The apex court agreed on Thursday to examine his appeal on Friday following submissions from his legal team, which argued that he was facing the possibility of immediate coercive action after the High Court’s decision.
High Court Cites Need for Custodial Investigation
The Madras High Court rejected Balaji’s request for pre-arrest protection, observing that the allegations involve serious financial irregularities and possible abuse of official authority. Justice G. K. Ilanthiraiyan noted that investigators require custodial interrogation to examine claims of large-scale corruption and an alleged conspiracy linked to the functioning of the state-run liquor retail network. Balaji had approached the High Court after the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered an FIR against him on July 28, 2026.
Supreme Court Agrees to Urgent Hearing
Following the High Court’s order, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi moved the Supreme Court seeking immediate intervention. Appearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the lawyers requested an urgent listing of the appeal, stating that Balaji faced an imminent threat of arrest. After hearing the submissions, the Chief Justice directed that the matter be listed for hearing the following day, allowing the former minister an opportunity to challenge the High Court’s decision without delay.
Allegations in the DVAC Investigation
The FIR filed by the DVAC names Balaji along with several former Tasmac officials, including ex-managing director S. Visakan, former senior regional managers T. Rama Durai Murugan and R. Panneerselvam, besides other individuals, distillery and brewery companies, transport contractors, bottling firms, and unidentified public servants.
Investigators allege that irregularities occurred in the award of bar licences, transport contracts, and procurement activities. According to the agency, manipulated tender procedures and inflated transactions involving certain companies caused an estimated loss of Rs 32.81 crore to the state exchequer during 2022-23 in Coimbatore North, Coimbatore South, and the Nilgiris. During arguments before the High Court, the prosecution indicated that the financial impact could eventually be assessed at around Rs 100 crore as the investigation progresses.
Defence Maintains Charges Are Politically Motivated
Representing Balaji before the High Court, senior advocate N. R. Elango argued that Tasmac operates as an independent entity and that his client had no direct authority over the award of contracts or tenders. He further contended that the criminal case had been initiated due to political rivalry. The defence also referred to an interim order of the Supreme Court concerning proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate.
The prosecution, however, clarified that the interim relief granted earlier related only to proceedings concerning the liquor retail entity and did not extend blanket protection to Balaji. It maintained that investigators have already collected substantial material supporting the ongoing inquiry.
Separate Legal Proceedings Continue
In a separate development, the Tamil Nadu government informed the Supreme Court that a special public prosecutor has been appointed to expedite the trial in the cash-for-jobs case involving Balaji. The move is aimed at ensuring faster progress in those proceedings.
Meanwhile, Balaji did not appear before the Triplicane police station on Thursday despite a Madras High Court direction requiring him to report twice daily in the alleged TVK MLA poaching case. Police officials said they were verifying the reason for his absence and would consider further legal action if the bail conditions continue to be violated. His legal counsel stated that Balaji was in New Delhi and was unaware of developments related to his scheduled appearance in Chennai.