CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthilbalaji appeared before the Triplicane police in Chennai on Saturday in compliance with bail conditions in the TVK MLA horse-trading case. He and his brother, Ashok Kumar, signed the station register and were questioned for about two hours before leaving. After the inquiry, Senthilbalaji criticised the state govt, accusing it of focusing on criminal cases instead of addressing public issues. He said a govt should prioritise addressing the public’s needs and grievances rather than registering cases against opposition political parties. He maintained that the allegations against him were false and said he would challenge them through the courts.Senthilbalaji, who had obtained anticipatory bail in the horse-trading case, had not appeared before the police for the past two days. He said he had sought exemption from appearing for five days by filing petitions before the police and the Madras high court, citing the need to consult his lawyers in connection with the TASMAC irregularities case slapped on him by the DVAC officials.He referred to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) investigation into alleged irregularities in TASMAC, stating that the agency had registered a separate case and conducted searches at his residence and other locations. He said he subsequently approached the Supreme Court and obtained anticipatory bail in that case.Addressing reporters, Senthilbalaji said his name had not figured in the original complaint or the first information report in the TVK MLA horse-trading case and that he had obtained anticipatory bail after being implicated later. He added that he had been cooperating with the investigation by appearing before the investigating officers as directed.Referring to the DVAC case, Senthilbalaji said two men had been arrested, including one individual whose name, according to him, had not appeared in the FIR. He said those named in the case were prepared to contest the allegations through legal proceedings.He said the Enforcement Directorate’s case relating to the alleged TASMAC irregularities was pending before the Supreme Court and contended that the DVAC case was based on the same allegations.
