Tamil Nadu minister arrested for money laundering, hospitalized after complaints of restlessness; bypass surgery advised

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday arrested Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji for alleged money laundering after questioning him for several hours, people with knowledge of the matter said.

He was hospitalized after complaining of restlessness. The hospital later said the minister underwent a coronary angiogram and was advised to undergo bypass surgery first.

The arrests came hours after Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party's "backdoor tactics" against its political opponents; This comes after the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided premises linked to Balaji - in Chennai, Karur and Erode in Tamil Nadu - as part of its investigation.

TN minister - PK Sekar Babu - claims that Balaji was tortured. Citing television footage, he claimed Balaji complained of being "restless" when he was hospitalised. Babu told reporters that Balaji was admitted to the intensive care unit.

"He was unconscious and unresponsive when (we) called his name. He is under observation ... he has swelling in his ear ... doctors say there are changes in his EKG [electrocardiogram] ... there are signs of torture."

State Law Minister S Reghupathy, who visited the hospital, questioned the need to raid Balaji's house continuously for hours.

What is the case against Balaji?

The allegations against Balaji date to 2011/15 when he was transport minister in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led government. Crores of rupees were allegedly taken from candidates in return for jobs that were promised but never confirmed.