Two Associates of Former Tamil Nadu Minister Arrested in Corruption Case

Arrests Linked to Alleged Irregularities in State Liquor Sales

The vigilance department has apprehended two associates of V. Senthil Balaji, a former minister and leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), in connection with alleged irregularities involving the state-run liquor retailer, TASMAC. This information was confirmed by police on Friday.

Karthik and his associate Ramesh, both residents of Karur district, were taken into custody on July 30. They were subsequently presented before the Chief Justice of the Principal Sessions Court in Chennai, where they were remanded to judicial custody.

This action marks the first significant step following the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against former minister Balaji and S. Visakan, the former managing director of TASMAC and an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, on July 28. According to the anti-corruption agency, a covert investigation was initiated based on documents obtained from the government.

Evidence of cognizable offenses was discovered during the investigation, leading to the registration of a case at the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) headquarters. The FIR also names TASMAC officials Rama Durai Murugan and Panneer Selvam, personal assistant Bhaskar, and another individual, Rathesh, as accused. Additionally, various distilleries, breweries, transport companies, and other unidentified public servants associated with TASMAC have been implicated in the case.

Officials stated that charges have been filed against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Indian Evidence Act (BNS), 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018).