Archive · 30 Jul 2026
High Court Rejects Senthil Balaji Bail in TASMAC Corruption Case
A former Tamil Nadu minister named V. Senthil Balaji asked a court for protection before he could be arrested.
The Madras High Court said no, because the case says he helped cheat the state by messing with liquor sales.
Balaji says the case is a political attack and that he had no role in the liquor company.
Lawyers for Balaji said the company runs on its own.
The court will let the Supreme Court decide if Balaji can get bail soon.
Madras High Court rejected V. Senthil Balaji’s anticipatory bail plea in a DVAC case alleging large‑scale corruption in TASMAC operations.
The court said custodial interrogation was necessary because the FIR (filed July 28) accuses Balaji of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, falsification and corruption, causing significant loss to the state exchequer.
Balaji denied the charges, claiming the FIR was vague, politically motivated and linked to the Karur stampede controversy, and that TASMAC operates independently of the minister.
Senior advocates N.R. Elango and Kapil Sibal argued that Balaji had no role in TASMAC tender processes and that the case was being challenged in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a special leave petition filed by Balaji, with a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant scheduled to hear the matter on Friday.
- Who
- Former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA V. Senthil Balaji
- What
- His anticipatory bail plea was rejected in a corruption case involving TASMAC
- When
- High Court decision on July 30, 2024; FIR filed July 28, 2024; Supreme Court hearing scheduled for Friday
- Where
- Madras High Court in Chennai, India; case concerns Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation
- Why
- Court found serious corruption allegations and deemed custodial interrogation necessary
- Defendant
- V. Senthil Balaji
- Court
- Madras High Court
- Case
- TASMAC corruption case
- FIR Date
- July 28, 2024
- Decision
- Anticipatory bail denied
- Next Hearing
- Supreme Court SLP, Friday
