In a surprising turn of events, the arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case has sparked controversy, with his wife, S Megala, filing a habeas corpus plea before the Madras High Court. The arrest, which took place without any prior notice or summons, has raised eyebrows and led to an urgent plea for justice.

Senior Advocate NR Elango, representing S Megala, passionately presented the case before a bench of esteemed Justices M Sundar and R Sakthivel. The abrupt arrest has raised concerns about the lack of due process and fairness surrounding the investigation.

The matter, highlighted as an unprecedented development, is set to receive further attention as the bench instructed the petitioner to obtain a case number and return for a follow-up hearing at 1.30 pm. This indicates the court's willingness to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

V Senthil Balaji, who served as the transport minister during the AIADMK government from 2011 to 2015, found himself under scrutiny for alleged involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam. The charges date back to his tenure and have prompted an extensive investigation by the ED.

This controversial arrest follows a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, overturning the Madras High Court's decision to assign a fresh investigation into the case to the state police. Moreover, the apex court granted the ED permission to continue its probe, further intensifying the legal proceedings surrounding the minister.

As public attention turns towards the outcome of the habeas corpus plea, the case takes on added significance for both political and legal observers. With the arrest generating widespread interest, the Madras High Court's examination of the matter promises to shed light on the intricacies of the ongoing investigation and ensure that justice prevails.