Stalin steps up attack against BJP, SHRC to look into min’s allegations

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday stepped up the attack against the BJP over the arrest of his cabinet colleague V Senthil Balaji, while the state human rights commission said it will look into Balaji’s allegations of alleged ill-treatment at the hands of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during his arrest.

Earlier, a local court, that sent Balaji to judicial custody till June 28, dismissed his plea against remand.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court was hearing a habeas corpus plea seeking to produce Balaji in person, even as a local court heard submissions from Balaji’s side for interim bail and shifting to a private hospital. The ED sought his police custody.

ED officials had done so till 2 am before taking Balaji to a hospital and he is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) right now, the Chief Minister added.

He questioned the need for such a long probe even after Balaji assuring full cooperation to the probe and asked “if such an inhumane action by the ED officials is warranted”.

“The cruel intentions of those that had deployed the officials is evident from this,” Stalin charged.

He reiterated his stringent criticism of the BJP, saying it was using such investigating agencies against its political rivals. “That is the only way they know.”

“Whatever the case is, Senthil Balaji will face it legally. We will firmly continue with our political stand. The DMK will face the case legally with resolve,” the Chief Minister said.

“DMK will not be cowed down by BJP’s intimidation. People are watching such oppression and will give a befitting reply in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” he added.