Senthil Balaji appears in Court after month in hiding to secure anticipatory bail

Former Minister Senthil Balaji appeared before the Chennai Principal Sessions Court on Friday morning to obtain the anticipatory bail order granted in connection with the alleged attempt to influence TVK MLA Ilaiyaraja in the Assembly confidence motion case.
This marks Senthil Balaji’s first public appearance after remaining out of public view for nearly a month despite securing anticipatory bail.
The case relates to allegations that Uthangarai MLA Ilaiyaraja was offered inducements to defy the party whip and vote in favour of a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. Based on the complaint, Triplicane Police arrested nine persons, including Thirunavukkarasu, and subsequently named former DMK Minister and Coimbatore South MLA Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar as being linked to the case. Police had issued summons directing both of them to appear for inquiry.
Following this, Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar separately approached the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The High Court granted them conditional anticipatory bail.
In its order issued on July 8, the High Court directed both to appear before the jurisdictional court within 15 days to obtain the anticipatory bail order. The court also instructed them to appear before the Investigating Officer twice daily, in the morning and evening, until further orders.
Senthil Balaji reached the Chennai Principal Sessions Court on Friday to comply with the High Court’s directions and is expected to formally receive the anticipatory bail order after appearing before the judge.