Madras HC gives split verdict on plea alleging that Senthil Balaji has been illegally detained

A two-judge bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday delivered a split verdict on a petition filed by the wife of jailed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader V Senthil Balaji, alleging that he had been illegally detained by the Enforcement Directorate, reported Live Law.

A bench of Justices J Nisha Banu and Bharatha Chakravarthy said that the chief justice of the Madras High Court will give further orders on the matter.

On June 14, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Balaji on the allegations of conspiring with transport corporation officials to appoint candidates recommended by his aides. The agency has claimed that crores of rupees were taken as bribes from candidates in exchange for jobs.

After his arrest, Balaji complained of heart ailment and is currently admitted to the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. He underwent a bypass surgery on June 21.

On Tuesday, Justice Banu held that the petition filed by Balaji’s wife Megala was maintainable and that the Enforcement Directorate does not have powers under the Prevention Of Money Laundering Act to seek police custody.

The judge also dismissed an application filed by the central agency seeking to exclude the days when Balaji underwent treatment while calculating the period for custodial interrogation.

Justice Chakravarthy differed with the view taken by the senior judge and said that...

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