Supreme Court Stays Arrest Of Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji In TASMAC Corruption Case

Published 31 July 2026 · politics

Supreme Court Stays Arrest Of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji In TASMAC Corruption Case Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 13:59 IST Supreme Court

Supreme Court Stays Arrest Of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji In TASMAC Corruption Case Published By, Last Updated: July 31, 2026, 13:59 IST Supreme Court stayed arrest of former TN Minister V. Senthil Balaji in TASMAC corruption case, granting interim protection. He must cooperate with probe, and deposit passport. File image of former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji. (Source: PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the arrest of former Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji in the alleged TASMAC corruption case, granting him interim protection while hearing his appeal against the Madras High Court’s order rejecting his anticipatory bail plea. While staying his arrest, the apex court directed Balaji to fully co-operate with the ongoing investigation, join the probe whenever required, deposit his passport with the authorities and ensure that he does not influence witnesses until further orders. The relief came after Balaji challenged the Madras High Court’s order rejecting his anticipatory bail plea in a fresh corruption case registered by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).

Earlier in the day, Justice V. Mohana recused herself from hearing Balaji’s anticipatory bail plea. Chief Justice Surya Kant informed the court about the recusal and said that he, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, would hear the matter at 1 pm owing to its urgency. The Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear Balaji’s plea after senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Mukul Rohatgi and Amit Anand Tiwari, appearing for the DMK leader, submitted that he faced imminent coercive action following the Madras High Court’s refusal to grant him anticipatory bail. Also Read: Big Setback For Senthil Balaji As Madras HC Turns Down Bail Plea In TASMAC Corruption Case What Does The FIR Against Senthil Balaji State? The fresh FIR, registered by the DVAC, alleges large-scale irregularities in the functioning of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), including an organised cash kickback scheme in the allotment of liquor shops and bars. According to the FIR, liquor suppliers allegedly generated bogus or inflated invoices, while TASMAC retail outlets systematically overcharged customers by collecting amounts above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

Consumers were allegedly charged an additional Rs 10 to Rs 100 for standard liquor and up to Rs 500 for premium foreign liquor, resulting in illicit collections worth several crores of rupees. Balaji has denied the allegations, contending that the FIR substantially reproduces the contents of the Enforcement Directorate’s affidavit and petition filed before the Supreme Court in the connected money laundering case. “The FIR itself at various places says that it is from the counter affidavit and petition of the ED," his plea states. Arguing before the apex court, senior advocate Amit Anand Tiwari maintained that custodial interrogation was unnecessary as the alleged offences pertained to the period between 2021 and 2025. “Our contention is that the FIR is for the incident said to have been committed between 2021 and 2025. I am at no flight risk; no custodial interrogation required. I was the minister of the department and TASMAC is a corporation independent in existence and functioning," Tiwari submitted, describing the prosecution as an instance of political vendetta.