High Court refuses bail for ex‑minister Balaji amid TASMAC corruption allegations

The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed the anticipatory bail petition of V. Senthil Balaji, former DMK MLA and ex‑minister responsible for electricity, prohibition and excise, in connection with a sprawling corruption case involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). The case was initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption (DVAC) after an FIR lodged on July 28 alleged that Balaji, during his tenure from 2021 to 2025, participated in a large‑scale scheme to manipulate TASMAC contracts and siphon state resources. The prosecution’s charge sheet references sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act, accusing Balaji of criminal conspiracy, fraud, forgery of records and abuse of power. According to investigators, six co‑accused—including private businessmen, a distillery, a bottling firm, a transport contractor and an unidentified TASMAC officer—collaborated with Balaji to tamper with procurement processes and funnel illegal money, causing significant financial loss to the state. In his plea, Balaji denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the FIR is vague, lacks specific contract references and is driven by political vendetta following the Karur protest. Senior Advocate N.R. Ilango argued that TASMAC operates as an autonomous corporation, and ministerial interference in tendering is non‑existent. Justice Ilanthirayan, after reviewing arguments from both sides, concluded that the seriousness of the allegations mandates custodial interrogation and rejected the anticipatory bail request.