Chennai, July 8 (IANS) The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted conditional anticipatory bail to DMK MLA V. Senthil Balaji and his brother, Ashok Kumar, in connection with a case alleging an attempt to bribe a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA with Rs 35 crore to influence his vote during the proposed no-confidence motion against the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker.

Justice P. Ilanthiraiyan granted anticipatory bail to both petitioners subject to conditions, directing them to appear before the investigating officer every day until further orders and cooperate fully with the investigation.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate N.R. Elango, appearing for Senthil Balaji, argued that the complaint had been lodged two days after the alleged phone call and that the prosecution had no recording of the conversation, relying only on call detail records (CDRs).

He contended that the allegations, including claims of an attempt to destabilise the government, were based purely on assumptions.

When the court sought clarification on Balaji’s role, noting that the FIR did not specifically implicate him, Elango submitted that the only circumstance cited by the prosecution was that Balaji was in Erode on the same day as the prime accused.

He further argued that the case was politically motivated and intended to prevent Balaji from discharging his duties ahead of the Karur by-election.

Senior Advocate P. Kumaresan, appearing for Ashok Kumar, argued that his client had been implicated solely because he was Balaji’s brother and alleged that investigators were attempting to build a case without substantive evidence.

Opposing the plea, Public Prosecutor John Sathyan told the court that investigators had gathered material indicating a conspiracy, including the booking of hotel rooms in Chennai.

He also claimed that one of the accused had fled to Singapore and remotely deleted CCTV footage, which investigators were attempting to recover.

The prosecution further alleged that the investigation had uncovered evidence pointing to hawala transactions and that fresh leads had emerged during inquiries in Bengaluru.

Sathyan maintained that the case involved an attempt to destabilise the elected government at a politically sensitive time and that there was sufficient material linking both petitioners to the alleged conspiracy.

The case stems from a complaint lodged on June 26 by TVK MLA M. Elaiyaraja, who alleged that he was contacted by a man identified as Thirunavukkarassu and offered Rs 35 crore to support a proposed move against the Assembly Speaker.

He also alleged that he was threatened with serious consequences if he refused.

Three persons were arrested on July 1, following which police claimed that the alleged approach to the MLA had been made at the behest of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.

In their bail pleas, the brothers denied any involvement, contending that Senthil Balaji was not named in the original FIR, that there was no evidence linking them to the alleged bribery attempt, and that the case was politically motivated.

–IANS

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