What happened
The Supreme Court ordered that the arrest of former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji in a corruption case linked to Tasmac (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) remains stayed (kept on hold).
The Supreme Court considered allegations in a DVAC (Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) FIR. The DVAC alleged that Senthilbalaji and others conspired from 2021 with liquor/distillery and bottling entities to launder illicit money, using manipulated decision-making and favoritism.
The Supreme Court rejected the State’s argument that granting bail protection would enable Senthilbalaji to interfere with the investigation. The Court pointed to a change in the political climate and the State’s lack of an ongoing basis to claim “influence” over Senthilbalaji.
The Supreme Court’s final order included conditional protection for Senthilbalaji. The conditions reported in the order were:
Senthilbalaji must surrender his passport.Senthilbalaji must not influence witnesses.Senthilbalaji must provide full cooperation with the investigation.