Tamil Nadu: 'Had No Option But To Arrest Senthil Balaji', 'We Followed Procedures', Says ED In Counter-Affidavit To Habeas Corpus Plea

In a counter-affidavit to the habeas corpus petition filed by Senthil Balaji's wife Megala, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated the circumstances under which he was arrested at 1:39 AM on 14 June.

It stated that Balaji was served with summons after the completion of the raid, but he refused to acknowledge and receive the summons.

Further, he tried to intimidate the officers saying that he is a minister in the state government.

So the ED officials decided to question him and record his statement at his residence itself but he did not cooperate and so the officials had no other option but to arrest him as he is an influential person and could destroy evidence.

Regarding the allegation that intimation of arrest was not provided to his relatives, the ED said calls were made at 1:41 AM to his sister-in-law Nirmala and his brother Ashok Kumar but neither of them responded. Following this, a text message was sent to Kumar at 1:44 AM.

According to a report in The Hindu, Balaji's wife, Megala, in an additional affidavit named BJP state president Annamalai and said that he had a grudge against her husband due to political rivalry. She added that he had been talking of an ED raid against her husband since August 2022.

The Madras High Court is set to hear arguments by the ED on 27 June. It has heard the arguments made by Megala's counsel, NR Elango.

It will also consider the ED's plea not to consider the period of hospital stay as period spent under custody as the agency was unable to question him.