Supreme Court grants interim relief to Senthil Balaji in TASMAC case
The Supreme Court has granted interim protection from arrest to DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji in a corruption case linked to alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant directed that Balaji should not be arrested for the time being, while also instructing him to surrender his passport as a condition of the relief.
The hearing took place a day after the Madras High Court rejected Balaji’s anticipatory bail plea in the case registered by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).
Earlier in the day, Justice V. Mohana recused herself from hearing the matter, after which the case was placed before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi for urgent consideration.
Senior advocates representing Balaji requested immediate listing of the matter, citing the possibility of coercive action following the High Court’s order.
The DVAC recently registered a fresh FIR against Balaji and six others, alleging irregularities in liquor procurement, transport contracts, bar licence allotments and other administrative decisions involving TASMAC during the period between 2021 and 2025.
Investigators subsequently carried out searches at more than 40 locations across Tamil Nadu, including premises linked to Balaji and other accused persons.
Besides Balaji, the FIR names former TASMAC Managing Director S. Visakan, former senior regional managers T. Ramadurai Murugan and R. Panneerselvam, Balaji’s former personal assistant Bhaskar, alleged intermediary Rathesh Raj Shanmugavel and S. Karthik.
According to the investigating agency, the case involves allegations of manipulation in bar licence tenders through cartelisation, proxy ownership and other irregular practices. The FIR also alleges that Rathesh Raj exercised significant influence over several administrative decisions within TASMAC, including brand approvals, transfers of officials and licence allotments. Investigators claim these actions were linked to instructions originating from Balaji. The FIR additionally refers to an alleged network described as the “Karur Gang.” The matter will now continue before the Supreme Court while the investigation proceeds.