ED raids properties of Tamil Nadu State Corp, Balaji's associates

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Thursday carried out searches at 25 locations in Tamil Nadu related to the offices of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Ltd (TASMAC) in connection with a corruption case.

Besides TASMAC's corporate offices, distilleries and plants, the agency also searched locations linked to associates of DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji.

Earlier, the ED had filed a money-laundering case against Balaji, alleging that he abused his position to gain illegal money through corrupt practices. The latest raids are part of the ongoing investigation against the DMK leader and others.


The searches started at 8 am on Thursday and took place at properties owned by the Balaji's supporters, including Subramanian, MCS Shankara Anandhan and Karthi.

Balaji is accused of corruption during his earlier term as Tamil Nadu's transport minister from 2011 to 2015 in the then AIADMK government. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in appointing bus conductors, drivers and junior engineers in the Tamil Nadu transport department. Balaji has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

In December last year, the Supreme Court raised eyebrows on the swiftness with which Balaji was re-inducted as a minister in the Tamil Nadu government, immediately after getting bail in a money-laundering case linked to the recruitment.

The bench had verbally remarked: "This court grants bail; next day you become minister. Anyone will be bound to be under the impression that you will put pressure on witnesses. What is going on here?"