On Thursday, the Madras High Court rejected the request for medical bail from Senthil Balaji, the Tamil Nadu minister and a prominent figure in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. He was taken into custody in June on charges related to money laundering.

Justice G Jayachandran rejected the request for medical bail.

Balaji was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14 this year in connection with a money laundering case. In his application presented by Senior Counsel NR Elango, Balaji implored the Court to take into account his deteriorating health condition following the ED's investigation at his office and his subsequent bypass surgery.

The minister also contended that the ED's concerns about his potential tampering with evidence if granted bail lacked foundation, as all the evidence in the case was in written form.

Special Public Prosecutor N Ramesh and Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan, who represented the Enforcement Directorate (ED), contested Balaji's request, asserting that the minister had already received the required medical care at the Puzhal Central Prison, where he is currently held in judicial custody.

The case against Balaji revolves around suspected irregularities in the recruitment of bus conductors in the Tamil Nadu transport department, as well as the selection of drivers and junior engineers. Balaji's arrest on June 14 was a result of his interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering inquiry. The charges pertain to his time as the transport minister during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government, spanning from 2011 to 2015. Subsequently, following his detention by the ED on June 14, Balaji was placed in judicial custody on the same day.

Following his arrest, Balaji reported chest pain and discomfort to the ED, leading to his admission to a state-run hospital. Subsequently, he was transferred to a private hospital where he underwent a bypass surgery. After the surgery, he was returned to prison.

On September 20, a sessions court in Chennai denied his request for bail. Prior to this, the Supreme Court had also declined two pleas for his release, filed by Balaji and his wife, S. Megala, as they had not obtained any relief from the Madras High Court.