Senthil Balaji, a DMK minister, was detained by the ED, and the governor moved his ministries

To account for Balaji’s medical issues, the court has also placed restrictions on the custody. The Kauvery hospital won’t allow the accused to be removed. He will be questioned by the deputy director of the ED at the hospital after taking into account his medical care and receiving the required approval from the medical professionals. He will be questioned by the deputy director of ED without any interference with medical care. Food should be available, and no third-degree or other brutality should be used. No coercion or threats may be used. Family members of Balaji are welcome to visit him. The required security must be given to the accused. The petition is granted as a result, the Court said. “ED deputy director is directed to produce the accused on 23 June by 3 pm via video conference,” the Court stated.

Senthil Balaji was previously detained by the ED in connection with an alleged money laundering case.

The Tamil Nadu government said that Balaji’s responsibilities had been transferred to two separate DMK ministers, citing “health issues.”

While Minister of Finance Thangam Thennarasu has been given the ministry of electricity, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Muthusamy has been given the responsibility of Prohibition and Excise. “Senthil Balaji will continue as minister without portfolio,” the state administration said.

Following the ED’s action against Senthil Balaji, CM Stalin released a statement in which he said that the DMK would not be frightened by the BJP’s “threats” and that the Lok Sabha elections would be an opportunity for the electorate to give the governing party at the Centre a lesson.

The BJP has come under fire from a number of opposition figures for allegedly exploiting government investigative agencies for “political ends”.

He continued by saying that the DMK stood strongly behind its leader and will provide a powerful legal defence.

The CM further said that during the questioning, the ED had tortured Senthil Balaji so severely that he had chest difficulties. Stalin said on Wednesday that he was “pressured” to the point that he had chest problems even after he declared he was helping with the investigation.

In the small hours of Wednesday, Balaji sobbed as he was being brought into prison by ED investigators for interrogation in connection with an alleged money laundering case. The central investigation agency questioned the DMK leader on Tuesday after searching his property.