Tamil Nadu minister arrested by ED cries ‘copious tears', requires ‘bypass surgery’: report

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Wednesday morning, may require a bypass surgery, NDTV reported citing hospital sources.

V Senthil Balaji today wailed with tears streaming down his cheeks as he was taken to hospital for a medical checkup by the central agency.

Balaji, who is facing charges of money laundering, cried in the ambulance while his supporters shouted slogans against the central agency, according to NDTV.

The central agency on Tuesday raided Balaji’s home before pinning down on him today.

DMK leader PK Sekar Babu claimed that the minister was under medical observation and was unconscious, adding that ECG reading showed variation.

‘There is a swelling near his ear, doctors say there is variation in his ECG (electrocardiogram)... these are symptoms of torture,’ PK Sekar Babu was quoted as saying.

DMK Youth Wing chief Udhayanidhi Stalin said Balaji was undergoing treatment and asserted that the DMK will not be ‘cowed down by the BJP’s intimidation’.

The Madras High Court consented an urgent hearing on the minister’s arrest after his wife approached the court.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reportedly visited Balaji at the hospital today.

After the Supreme Court allowed ED to probe into ‘cash-for-jobs allegations against Mr Balaji’ during his stint with Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK regime, Income Tax sleuths searched his associates’ properties across the state.

The apex court gave nod to the ED to probe the alleged money laundering case against the leader.

Balaji is a minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise, alongside being the district Secretary of DMK for Karur District.