The Madras High Court has revoked the bail granted to 19 individuals accused of attacking Income Tax officials during a search operation conducted at various properties associated with Minister V Senthil Balaji in Karur last year. The decision came after an appeal was filed by the Income Tax Department officials, contending that granting bail and anticipatory bail to those who obstructed and assaulted government officials while performing their duties was not appropriate.
The incident occurred on May 26 when Income Tax officials carried out searches at locations linked to Minister Balaji in Karur. However, his supporters launched an attack on the Income Tax officials during the operation, and a video capturing the incident later went viral on social media.
It’s worth noting that Minister V Senthil Balaji had previously been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2021. The Enforcement Case Information Register (ECIR) was registered based on three First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against him by the local police in 2018. These FIRs alleged his involvement in a cash-for-job case that allegedly occurred during his tenure as the Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa’s Cabinet in 2015. The charges against him pertain to his time as the Transport Minister from 2011 to 2015 when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was in power.
Notably, V Senthil Balaji joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in December 2018 and assumed the position of Electricity Minister after the party came to power in May 2021. However, the recent attack on Income Tax officials during the search operation led to the cancellation of bail for the accused, and they have been directed to surrender before the trial court.
