In a latest development to the ongoing political furore over senior Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji's arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED) and his hospitalization, the minister has now been sent to the judicial custody amid the preparations for his bypass surgery.

Senthil Balaji has complained of chest pain and he was taken to the Omandurar government multi super specialty hospital in Chennai during the wee hours of Wednesday - June 14, moments after he was placed under arrest by the ED.

In the midst of his hospitalization, the judge of the Sessions Court, Justice Alli has visited the hospital during the afternoon hours on Wednesday to inquire about his health condition and to remand him in the money laundering case, pertaining to the job scams, for which Senthil Balaji's residences and properties connected to him in Chennai and Karur were raided by ED on Tuesday. As he was placed under arrest by the ED, the minister has now been sent to judicial custody. 

After visiting the hospital, sessions court judge Justice Alli has directed to take Senthil Balaji under judicial custody till June 28. According to reports, the minister will be treated as per the judicial protocols and he will be shifted to a private hospital in Chennai to perform bypass surgery. 47-year-old Senthil Balaji has been getting treated in the Intensive Care Unit and he also underwent angiogram procedure.

Several DMK leaders, including Chief Minister MK Stalin, had visited him at the hospital and alleged that the ED had harassed and tortured him to an extent that he could suffer chest pain. MK Stalin shared the first picture of Senthil Balaji in the hospital and asserted that the DMK won't fear such intimidations from the BJP regime. 

In the midst of the political slugfest between DMK and BJP over ED's raids and alleged crackdown against Senthil Balaji, the hospital has officially released its statement concerning the minister's health condition, in which it has said that the minister should undergo a bypass surgery at the earliest. In its statement, the hospital said, "Hon'ble Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise duty Mr Senthil Balaji, 47 years male underwent Coronary Angiogram at 10.40 am on 14.06.2023." 

"Coronary Angiogram revealed triple vessel disease, for which CARG- Bypass Surgery is advised at the earliest", the hospital added. According to our sources, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the doctor of the central government owned ESI hospital has also suggested that Senthil Balaji must undergo surgery. The sources further say that Senthil Balaji will most likely be taken to Kavery Hospital and the bypass surgery will be performed on Thursday - June 15. 

Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji sent to judicial custody till June 28 by Sessions Court, in connection with a money laundering case.

— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023