Ex-transport minister summoned by CCB

The CCB had registered an FIR against the former minister based on a complaint filed by one Ganesh Kumar. The complainant alleged that he handed over Rs 95 lakh, the amount collected from 16 persons to get jobs in the transport department, to the minister’s associates. The Central Crime Branch had registered a case against Balaji under various sections of the IPC, including cheating and criminal breach of trust. Denying the allegations, Balaji said the complaint was false and untrue. 

In October, the Madras High Court had granted anticipatory bail to the former minister in the case. Justice N Authinathan directed Balaji to appear before the investigating officer of the CCB daily until further orders. “Now we have summoned him for a detailed inquiry,” a police officer said. It may be noted that Senthil Balaji is one of the 19 disqualified MLAs who were part of the group led by TTV Dinakaran.