Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji appeared before the DVAC in Chennai for questioning in the TASMAC liquor business irregularities case. The questioning follows raids at 41 locations and is part of his Supreme Court anticipatory bail conditions.
Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji has appeared in person before the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) office in Alandur, Chennai, for questioning in connection with the case relating to alleged irregularities in the TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) liquor business.
DVAC Probe and Raids
Based on complaints of various irregularities in TASMAC in Tamil Nadu, DVAC officials had earlier conducted simultaneous searches at 41 locations across the State. The searches were carried out at locations linked to former Minister Senthil Balaji, as well as those associated with the former TASMAC Managing Director and senior zonal officials, among others.
During the searches, DVAC officials seized several documents considered important to the investigation. The officials are said to have already conducted a detailed examination of the seized documents. In connection with the case, two or three persons have already been arrested and are being questioned. Meanwhile, a person named Rathesh, who is allegedly linked to the case, has reportedly been absconding. As part of efforts to trace him, the DVAC is said to have issued a Lookout Notice. Efforts to locate and arrest him have also been intensified.
Summons and Bail Conditions
Former Minister Senthil Balaji had approached the Supreme Court in connection with the case and obtained anticipatory bail. At the time, the Supreme Court imposed several conditions, including that he must fully cooperate with the investigation conducted by the DVAC and appear in person whenever he is summoned for questioning.
Accordingly, after accepting the summons issued by the DVAC, Senthil Balaji appeared in person for questioning today. As the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has been in session over the past few days, today is a non-sitting day. Therefore, the DVAC had issued a summons to Senthil Balaji to appear for questioning today. As specified in the summons, he appeared at the DVAC office in Alandur this morning.
Details of Allegations and Interrogation
The FIR registered by the DVAC in the case mentions alleged irregularities in the transportation contracts for transporting TASMAC liquor. It also contains various allegations, including alleged irregularities involving an additional Rs 10 collected per liquor bottle. The investigation has been intensified based on these allegations as well as the documents seized during the searches.
DVAC officials have conducted a detailed examination of the documents seized during the searches at the 41 locations. Based on the information contained in those documents, TASMAC transportation contracts, the alleged additional amounts collected on liquor bottles and various related transactions, officials are reportedly questioning Senthil Balaji with more than 100 questions. The next course of action in the investigation is expected to be determined based on the answers provided by Senthil Balaji to the questions posed by the officials. (ANI)
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