CHENNAI: With legal clearance from Madras High Court, V Senthilbalaji was discharged from Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital, Omandurar, and shifted to Kauvery Hospital at around 9.30 pm on Thursday.

Along with prison police protection, Senthilbalaji was taken in an ambulance.

Senthilbalaji has been admitted to the private hospital for bypass surgery after blocks were identified in the blood vessels.

Sources said that the surgery is expected to be done on Friday after the specialists review his medical reports.

The DMK leader complained of chest pain after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a cash-for-job scam. And admitted to Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital, Omandurar, around 2.30 am on Wednesday. He was treated for an emergency.

As per the doctor's advice for diagnostic surgery - a coronary angiogram was done around 10.40 am the same day. However, the coronary angiogram revealed that three blocks in the blood vessels were identified for which CABG (coronary angiogram bypass grafting) – bypass surgery is advised at the earliest. Though the doctors at Omandurar Multi-Super Specialty hospital suggested bypass surgery for Senthilbalaji.

A second opinion was taken from the experts at Apollo Hospital. Also, a team of doctors from the central government-run ESI hospital visited the hospital on Wednesday and reviewed the minister's health.

The doctors recommended bypass surgery. Meanwhile, heavy police deployment was posted at the private hospital.