Chennai, July 7 (IANS) Former Tamil Nadu minister and senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader V Senthilbalaji has approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the alleged Rs 35-crore horse-trading case, arguing that the allegations against him are politically motivated and unsupported by any direct or credible evidence.

Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan is scheduled to hear the anticipatory bail plea on Wednesday, July 8.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA N Elaiyaraja, who represents the Uthangarai Assembly constituency in Krishnagiri district.

The legislator approached the Chennai Police Commissioner on June 29, alleging that he had been offered Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker during a proposed resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

According to the complaint, a person named Thirunavukkarasu, who claimed to be associated with a survey organisation, contacted the MLA over the phone. He allegedly told Elaiyaraja that he was acting on behalf of “some people from an important party” and attempted to persuade him to switch his political allegiance.

The complaint further states that after Elaiyaraja rejected the offer and disconnected the call, Thirunavukkarasu contacted him again, repeated the proposal, and allegedly threatened him and his family with serious consequences if he disclosed the conversation.

Based on the complaint, the Triplicane police registered a case under Sections 8 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Sections 61(2)(a) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During the investigation, police alleged that Thirunavukkarasu had contacted the MLA at the instance of former minister V Senthilbalaji and another accused, Ashok Kumar, who is Senthilbalaji’s brother. Following these findings, Senthilbalaji was added as an accused in the case.

In his anticipatory bail petition, Senthilbalaji has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged conspiracy. He argued that the investigation has failed to produce any material linking him to the alleged bribery attempt or the threats made to the MLA.

The petition states that there are no call detail records, WhatsApp messages, voice recordings, electronic communications, CCTV footage, tower location data, financial transactions, money trail, documentary evidence, recoveries, or independent witnesses connecting him to the alleged offence.

He further contended that arresting him without objective evidence would amount to “arrest first and search for evidence later,” contrary to established legal principles.

Senthilbalaji has also claimed that the criminal case is the result of political vendetta and has been initiated with a mala fide intention to target him.

The High Court is expected to consider these submissions when the anticipatory bail plea comes up for hearing on Wednesday.

–IANS

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