Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Grants Bail to Former Tamil Nadu Minister Balaji
V Senthil Balaji is a politician from the DMK party who used to be a minister in Tamil Nadu.
He is accused of helping a state company called TASMAC do illegal things like overcharging people for liquor and taking secret money.
The Supreme Court of India decided to stop his arrest for now and gave him a special kind of protection called anticipatory bail.
He has to help the police, give up his passport, and not try to influence witnesses.
The court said it would keep watching him and could change the decision if he breaks the rules.
The case started after the new state government came to power, and the court is listening to both sides of the story.
Supreme Court granted interim anticipatory bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in a fresh TASMAC corruption case, staying his arrest until further orders.
The case, registered by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti‑Corruption, alleges a large‑scale cash‑kickback scheme, inflated invoices, and overcharging at TASMAC liquor outlets between 2021‑2025.
Balaji, a DMK leader and former Minister for Prohibition and Excise, denies the charges, claiming the FIR is based on an ED affidavit and is politically motivated.
The Supreme Court set conditions: Balaji must cooperate with the investigation, deposit his passport, and not influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
The Madras High Court had earlier rejected Balaji’s anticipatory bail plea, prompting the Supreme Court to hear the appeal urgently after Justice V Mohana recused herself.
- Who
- V Senthil Balaji, DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu minister
- What
- Supreme Court granted interim anticipatory bail in a TASMAC corruption case
- When
- July 31, 2026
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, Tamil Nadu
- Why
- To protect him while the investigation continues amid allegations of corruption
- Name
- V Senthil Balaji
- Party
- DMK
- Position
- Former Minister for Prohibition and Excise
- Case
- TASMAC corruption case
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Status
- Arrest stayed, anticipatory bail granted
- Conditions
- Cooperate, deposit passport, no witness tampering
- FIR Date
- July 28, 2026
- FIR Allegations
- Cash kickback, inflated invoices, overcharging
Sources
Supreme Court Stays Arrest Of Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji In TASMAC Corruption Case
SC judge recuses from DMK leader's bail hearing
SC Grants Interim Anticipatory Bail to Senthil Balaji in TASMAC Case
SC to Hear Senthil Balaji's Anticipatory Bail Plea in TASMAC Case on Friday
DMK's Senthil Balaji Gets Supreme Court Relief In Corruption Case, To Deposit Passport