TN: Senthil Balaji Files Bail Plea On Medical Grounds; ED Asked To Submit Counter Affidavit By 16 October

Justice G Jayachandran of the Madras High Court today (11 October) granted time till 16 October to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its counter affidavit to the bail plea filed by minister Senthil Balaji.

According to a report by The Hindu, Balaji filed the bail plea on medical grounds and stated that just because treatment was being provided at the prison hospital, he could not be disallowed from seeking better treatment at a hospital of his choice.

Further, he stated that the Supreme Court has granted bail to prisoners on medical and humanitarian grounds.

Balaji was recently admitted to the state government run Stanley Medical College Hospital after experiencing chest pain and high blood pressure and discharged after treatment.

He submitted that the doctors diagnosed him with symptoms of lacunar stroke and dyslipidemia.

The petition mentioned, "Despite the medications that are being taken under the care of the Puzhal prison hospital, his recovery is very slow and he is still suffering from chest discomfort, pain, severe numbness and discomfort on the left leg (surgical side). He was advised by doctors to not sit or stand for a long time. He requires further treatment,” stated the report.

Regarding the possibility of influencing witnesses and tampering with evidence, Balaji stated that the evidence could not be tampered with as it was documentary in nature and so far there has been no complaint against him or his family members for influencing witnesses.

His previous bail plea was dismissed by the Principal Session Court on 20 September. The ED had argued that he is a powerful person who could influence witnesses and tamper with evidence if granted bail. The Court had also held that the medical issues he was suffering from could be taken care of by doctors at the prison hospital.