- Cow. Vijayanand
- BBC Tamil
The arrest of former AIADMK minister Rajendra Balaji marks the end of an 18-day search operation by the personal police. “Rajendra Balaji, who is the second accused in the case, is wanted in connection with the case and has been arrested as his bail case is coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court tomorrow,” AIADMK lawyers said.
Raveendran had lodged a complaint against Rajendra Balaji, who was the Dairy Minister during the AIADMK regime (2016-21). In the petition, Rajendra Balaji had stated that he had cheated Rs 3.10 crore by claiming that he would buy a job in Avin. The petition also states that the money was transferred through Nallathambi, who is close to Rajendra Balaji.
The Virudhunagar District Crime Branch police have registered a case against former minister Rajendra Balaji on the complaint. Following this, nine more complaints were lodged alleging that Rajendra Balaji had cheated them by claiming that he would buy the job. Rajendra Balaji had filed a petition in the Madurai branch of the Chennai High Court seeking pre-bail from these cases. His pre-bail petition was dismissed as it was a fraudulent offense.
Search hunting in many states
Following this, the Virudhunagar District Crime Branch police tried to arrest him. But he was nowhere to be found in the district. Subsequently, eight special forces were formed to search for him in various states including Kerala, Karnataka and Delhi. Many of his relatives and lawyers who were in touch with him were being questioned by the police. But Rajendra Balaji could not be traced.
At one point, police raided the home of Rajendra Balaji’s lawyer, Maris. He appealed to the court and the court ordered the investigator Sivapala to appear in the video hearing. “Did the magistrate get permission to search the lawyer’s house?” The judges questioned. Responding to this, Police Inspector Sivapalan said that the search was carried out with the permission of the District SP. Following this, the judges ordered the district SP to file an affidavit.
How did you get stuck in Karnataka?
Following this, the personal police conducted an investigation on several persons belonging to the AIADMK governor and former minister from Krishnagiri district. Police have arrested Rajendra Balaji in Hassan district in Karnataka. It has been reported that three persons including Muthupandi and Balarama have been arrested along with him. According to AIADMK sources, the police were close to Rajendra Balaji based on the cell phone conversations of those who were in touch with him.
Following this, the police said that Rajendra Balaji is to be brought to Virudhunagar district after a medical examination and plans to bring him into police custody after the judge is produced before him.
Also, an inquiry is underway into who gave asylum to Rajendra Balaji for the last 18 days. People who helped him in this affair are also said to be under arrest.
According to the AIADMK, one of the reasons behind the intensification of police surveillance centered on Delhi and Kerala was the discovery by the personal police of persons assisting a former minister from Krishnagiri district.
Why no action on A1?
Speaking to BBC Tamil, Inbathurai, a member of the AIADMK Legal Advisory Council and a former MLA, said, “Rajendra Balaji has been arrested in a hurry as his pre-bail petition is coming up in the Supreme Court tomorrow. There are various reasons behind this. ”
Raveendran, who had lodged a complaint in the Rajendra Balaji case, has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court. In the bond, he said, `I gave the money to my good brother. I complained to the police on 28.8.2021 that the money was not returned. On 1.10.21, Nallathambi left after giving a written affidavit to the police that he would settle the money. But when asked by the police that day, `Nallathambi said that he had given the money to Rajendra Balaji. So you file a new complaint to the IG. ‘ So, I complained to IG too. In fact, I have never seen Rajendra Balaji in person. ‘ That fact must be taken into account. ”
He went on to say, “Police are making arrests for fear that these facts will not be revealed in the Supreme Court tomorrow. Nallathambi is the A1 culprit in this case. Rajendra Balaji has been added as the second accused. Is Nallathambi, who has been added as A1 till now, still browsing outside? Which law says that the first accused should be released and only the second accused Rajendra Balaji should be caught? Why is the police so eager to imprison him? ”
The purpose is to humiliate
Image source, Rajendra Balaji FB
Rajendra Balaji, former Minister
“Police say Rajendra Balaji will dissolve the witness if he is out so there is a need to arrest him. If so, who is A1 and will not dismiss the witness? Rajendra Balaji should be arrested and humiliated in this case. The DMK government’s plan is to tarnish the image of the DMK. ”
“Then why is it necessary to remain in hiding without meeting legally?” “More than eight special forces were set up to arrest him somehow. They are constantly making false accusations. So he decided to face this case with the support of the Supreme Court. That is his legal right. Rajendra Balaji will come out innocent after facing this case legally. ”
What does the DMK say?
Speaking to BBC Tamil regarding the allegations made by the DMK, Rajiv Gandhi, the DMK Joint Secretary for Communications and a lawyer, said, “This is an old case. When Rajendra Balaji went to the Madurai High Court seeking bail, the court said, `This is a crime that cannot be granted bail ‘. Although Nallathambi had bought the money in the complaint lodged by Raveendran, the money was bought with the authority of Rajendra Balaji. The bribe was taken because he was a civil servant. That is why the court ordered his arrest. We can’t afford not to implement it, ”he said.
“Are they saying there is an intention for political revenge?” He asked. Nallathambi, who is accused as A1 in this case, will also be arrested. The first information report was filed because of fraud in the case. Rajendra Balaji used his power to flee to foreigners. We see the exploitation of people’s tax money as a greater crime than murder. So the government is doing its duty, ”he said.
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