‘Cruel intentions evident’: Stalin flays ED for ‘inhuman’ treatment of arrested min Senthil Balaji

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday (June 14) stepped up his attack on the BJP over the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s arrest of his cabinet colleague V Senthil Balaji, as he asserted the minister will face the case legally, and so will the party.

On Wednesday, the chief minister met Balaji at the Omandurar government hospital when he was admitted following his arrest by ED sleuths.

Balaji had reportedly complained of chest pain and was rushed to the hospital. TV visuals showed him writhing in pain as he was brought to the hospital in a vehicle.
Stalin charged the ED officials of “enacting a drama” in the name of enquiry and accused them of “physically and mentally troubling” Balaji.

Also read: Who is Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji whom the ED has arrested

“They had pressured him to the point of him suffering a chest pain,” Stalin alleged in a statement, hours after the ED arrested Balaji in a money laundering probe following raids at his premises and hours long questioning since Tuesday.

According to reports, ED officials had done so till 2 am before taking Balaji to a hospital and he is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) right now, the chief minister added.

He questioned the need for such a long probe even after Balaji assuring full cooperation to the probe and asked “if such an inhuman action by the ED officials is warranted”.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin arrives at Omandurar government hospital to meet state minister Senthil Balaji, in Chennai

Balaji was admitted to the hospital after he was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, in connection with a money laundering case. pic.twitter.com/gjXKzO7XwS

— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023

“The cruel intentions of those that had deployed the officials is evident from this,” Stalin charged. He reiterated his stringent criticism of the BJP, saying it was using such investigating agencies against its political rivals.

“That is the only way they know.” “Whatever the case is, Senthil Balaji will face it legally. We will firmly continue with our political stand. The DMK will face the case legally with resolve,” Stalin said.

Also read: ED arrests TN minister Senthil Balaji; CM Stalin visits him in hospital

“DMK will not be cowed down by BJP’s intimidation. People are watching such oppression and will give a befitting reply in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)