The Madras High Court has granted interim relief to DMK MLA and former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji and his brother V Ashok Kumar in a criminal case alleging an attempt at political horse-trading, which was registered on the complaint of a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA.
The single-judge Bench of Justice P Velmurugan passed the order while hearing petitions filed by Balaji and his brother challenging the First Information Report (FIR). The Court directed that no coercive action be taken against the petitioners until the next date of hearing, providing them temporary protection as the matter proceeds.
The FIR stems from allegations made by a TVK legislator, who claimed that efforts were made to influence him to switch political allegiance. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and initiated an investigation into the alleged attempt to induce defection.
Appearing for the petitioners, senior counsel argued that the allegations were politically motivated and lacked any material to justify the registration of the criminal case. It was contended that the FIR was an abuse of the legal process and had been lodged with the intention of tarnishing the petitioners’ political image.
The State opposed the plea, maintaining that the investigation was at a preliminary stage and that the police should be allowed to collect evidence without judicial interference. The prosecution submitted that the allegations disclosed a cognizable offence warranting investigation.
After considering the rival submissions, Justice Velmurugan granted interim protection to Senthil Balaji and his brother, observing that the matter required detailed examination before any coercive steps could be permitted. The Court, however, did not express any opinion on the merits of the allegations and clarified that the investigation could continue in accordance with law.
The case has attracted considerable political attention in Tamil Nadu, with both the ruling DMK and the opposition closely watching the proceedings. The High Court is expected to take up the matter for further hearing, where it will examine the legality of the FIR and the relief sought by the petitioners in greater detail.
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