Published Jul 08, 2026 | 7:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 08, 2026 | 7:08 PM
RV Suresh Kumar (L) and V Senthil Balaji.
Synopsis: While granting them conditional anticipatory bail, the court directed both men to appear before the police twice a day as the investigation continues.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday, 8 July, granted conditional anticipatory bail to former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji and his brother RV Ashok Kumar in the alleged MLA-poaching bid case.
Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan directed the two accused to appear before the jurisdictional police station every morning and evening as part of the bail conditions.
Also Read: ‘Attempt to poach 10 of us’, alleges TVK MLA
Appearing for Balaji, Senior Advocate NR Elango argued that the complaint was lodged only two days after the alleged phone call seeking to lure an MLA and questioned the delay in filing the complaint.
He also submitted that there was no Call Detail Record (CDR) or other technical evidence to establish that the alleged phone conversation had taken place.
Referring to the allegation of conspiracy to topple the government, the defence contended that it was based purely on assumptions. Elango further pointed out that all MLAs had voted together during the Speaker’s election, indicating there was no attempt to destabilise the government.
During the hearing, Justice Ilanthiraiyan asked about the specific role attributed to Balaji in the case, observing that the First Information Report (FIR) did not appear to directly implicate him.
Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution argued that the investigation was still at a preliminary stage and that strong materials supported the allegations of criminal conspiracy.
The police submitted that Kumar had been present at the location where the accused persons allegedly met on more than 40 occasions and claimed there was sufficient evidence against him.
They further alleged that the accused had attempted to destabilise a democratically elected government by approaching sitting MLAs.
The prosecution also informed the court that one of the accused had fled to Singapore and allegedly deleted video evidence remotely. Efforts were underway to retrieve the deleted data.
The police further claimed that the investigation had extended to Bengaluru and that hawala transactions could be linked to the case. It also maintained that there was adequate material against Balaji and that a detailed status report on the investigation would be filed before the court.
After recording the submissions of both sides, the court granted conditional anticipatory bail to Balaji and Kumar.
Also Read: ₹35 crore offer and a threat
It has been alleged that attempts were made to lure away MLAs of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) with cash to destabilise the C Joseph Vijay-led government.
The FIR said TVK MLA Dr N Elaiyaraja complained that a person, identified as Thirunavukkarasu, had contacted him and offered up to ₹35 crore to vote against the government during a proposed move against the Assembly Speaker. The caller also allegedly threatened the MLA and his family after the offer was rejected.
Based on the complaint, the D1 Triplicane Police registered a case and arrested three accused, Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh and Thiyagarajan. During the investigation, the police alleged that former minister Balaji and his brother Kumar were also linked to the conspiracy.
Investigators claimed that around 10 to 12 TVK MLAs may have been contacted through intermediaries and were probing the alleged use of hawala funds and the involvement of a suspect who had reportedly fled to Singapore.
Both Balaji and Kumar denied the allegations.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
